Combining Philosophers

Ideas for H.Putnam/P.Oppenheim, Einstein,A/Infeld,L and E.M. Cioran

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2 ideas

7. Existence / A. Nature of Existence / 3. Being / i. Deflating being
The word 'being' is very tempting, but in fact means nothing at all [Cioran]
     Full Idea: Whether it is spoken by a grocer or a philosopher, the word 'being', apparently so rich, so tempting, so charged with significance, in fact means nothing at all; incredible that a man in his right mind can use it on any occasion whatever.
     From: E.M. Cioran (The Trouble with Being Born [1973], 12)
     A reaction: I entirely agree. It resembles the redundancy view of 'true' (with which I do not agree).
7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 4. Anti-realism
People who really believe anti-realism don't bother to prove it [Cioran]
     Full Idea: When you know quite absolutely that everything is unreal, you then cannot see why you should take the trouble to prove it.
     From: E.M. Cioran (The Trouble with Being Born [1973], 02)
     A reaction: Does the same apply to realists? There are at least genuine arguments in both directions. Presumably the thought is that realists have something they care about, but true anti-realists don't.