Combining Philosophers

All the ideas for H.Putnam/P.Oppenheim, Franciscus Toletus and Yale Kamisar

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4 ideas

14. Science / D. Explanation / 2. Types of Explanation / j. Explanations by reduction

20653	Six reduction levels: groups, lives, cells, molecules, atoms, particles [Putnam/Oppenheim, by Watson]
	Full Idea: There are six 'reductive levels' in science: social groups, (multicellular) living things, cells, molecules, atoms, and elementary particles.
	From: report of H.Putnam/P.Oppenheim (Unity of Science as a Working Hypothesis [1958]) by Peter Watson - Convergence 10 'Intro'
	A reaction: I have the impression that fields are seen as more fundamental that elementary particles. What is the status of the 'laws' that are supposed to govern these things? What is the status of space and time within this picture?

22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / e. Death

16764	The soul conserves the body, as we see by its dissolution when the soul leaves [Toletus]
	Full Idea: Every accident of a living thing, as well as all its organs and temperaments and its dispositions are conserved by the soul. We see this from experience, since when that soul recedes, all these dissolve and become corrupted.
	From: Franciscus Toletus (Commentary on 'De Anima' [1572], II.1.1), quoted by Robert Pasnau - Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 24.5
	A reaction: A nice example of observing a phenemonon, but not being able to observe the dependence relation the right way round. Compare Descartes in Idea 16763.

25. Social Practice / F. Life Issues / 2. Euthanasia

4050	We only allow voluntary euthanasia to someone who is both sane and crazed by pain [Kamisar]
	Full Idea: It seems that voluntary euthanasia can only be carried out by someone who is both sane, and crazed by pain.
	From: Yale Kamisar (Against Euthanasia [1958], p.77)
	A reaction: A fair point, despite its obvious exaggeration. How much pain must someone experience before we permit them to choose euthanasia?

4051	People will volunteer for euthanasia because they think other people want them dead [Kamisar]
	Full Idea: In the process of voluntary euthanasia we will sweep up some who are not really tired of life, but think others are tired of them.
	From: Yale Kamisar (Against Euthanasia [1958], p.78)
	A reaction: We could permit such choices. Or set up systems to eliminate such cases.