Combining Philosophers

All the ideas for H.Putnam/P.Oppenheim, Paul Feyerabend and Ian Dunt

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8 ideas

1. Philosophy / G. Scientific Philosophy / 1. Aims of Science

6601	Science rules the globe because of colonising power, not inherent rationality [Feyerabend]
	Full Idea: Science now reigns supreme all over the globe; but the reason was not insight in its 'inherent rationality' but power play (the colonising nations imposed their way of living) and the need for weapons.
	From: Paul Feyerabend (Against Method [1975], 3), quoted by Robert Fogelin - Walking the Tightrope of Reason Ch.5
	A reaction: A nice clear statement of ridiculous relativism about science. What gave the colonisers their power if it was not more accurate knowledge of how to manipulate nature?

14. Science / B. Scientific Theories / 6. Theory Holism

2561	For Feyerabend the meaning of a term depends on a whole theory [Feyerabend, by Rorty]
	Full Idea: For Feyerabend the meaning of a term depends on a whole theory containing the term.
	From: report of Paul Feyerabend (Against Method [1975]) by Richard Rorty - Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature 6.3

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?

24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 2. State Legitimacy / d. General will

22594	In 1794 France all individual and legal rights were suppressed by the general will [Dunt]
	Full Idea: In the French Revolution the general will replaced democracy, the separation of powers, the rule of law, and individual rights.
	From: Ian Dunt (How to be a Liberal [2020], 03)
	A reaction: I had some sympathy with the idea of the general will, but Dunt has persuaded me otherwise. It is the embodiment of the democratic problem of the tyranny of the majority.

24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 6. Liberalism / a. Liberalism basics

22602	Over several centuries a set of eight main liberal values was established [Dunt]
	Full Idea: Over the centuries liberal values were established: freedom of the individual, reason, consent in government, individual rights, the separation of powers, protection of minorities, autonomy, and moderation.
	From: Ian Dunt (How to be a Liberal [2020], 13)
	A reaction: What's not to like? 'Moderation' might be a sticking point, for anyone who thinks that very large social changes are needed.

24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 6. Liberalism / d. Liberal freedom

22596	No government, or the whole nation, can control an individual beyond legitimate scope [Dunt]
	Full Idea: When a government of any sort puts a threatening hand on that part of individual life beyond its proper scope, …even if it were the whole nation, except for the man it is harassing, it would be no more legitimate for that.
	From: Ian Dunt (How to be a Liberal [2020]), quoted by Ian Dunt - How to be a Liberal 4
	A reaction: The obvious question is what counts as 'proper scope' - and who gets to define it? If the individual can define that, then criminals can appeal to this principle. The state must be persuaded of it, then asked to stick to it during conflicts.

24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 6. Liberalism / g. Liberalism critique

22603	Laissez-faire liberalism failed to give people the protections and freedoms needed for a good life [Dunt]
	Full Idea: Laissez-faire liberalism failed, because it did not offer people protections and real freedom - against discrimination, insecure work, educational disadvantage, lack of social respect, absence of representation. It was cold, distant, and ineffective.
	From: Ian Dunt (How to be a Liberal [2020], 13)
	A reaction: A very nice summary, which I take to be correct.

24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 14. Nationalism

22592	Nationalism pretends that we can only have a single identity [Dunt]
	Full Idea: Nationalism pretends that there is only one identity, that we cannot be more than one thing at once.
	From: Ian Dunt (How to be a Liberal [2020], Today)
	A reaction: Dunt is a defender of liberalism, which assumes a wide degree of pluralism. Could I be a British citizen, but love France more than Britain? I don’t see why not, but it is not an ideal situation.