Combining Philosophers

All the ideas for H.Putnam/P.Oppenheim, Thomas More and Kretzmann/Stump

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7 ideas

14. Science / A. Basis of Science / 2. Demonstration

22110	Demonstration provides depth of understanding and explanation (rather than foundations) [Kretzmann/Stump]
	Full Idea: According to Aquinas, what demonstration provides is not so much knowledge as conceived by foundationalists as depth of understanding and explanatory insight.
	From: Kretzmann/Stump (Aquinas, Thomas [2005]), quoted by Kretzmann/Stump - Aquinas, Thomas 11
	A reaction: It was noticeable that Aristotle didn't make clear what demonstration aims to achieve, and he didn't employ it elsewhere in his writings. We aim for understanding, not for well grounded propositions. Understanding needs implications and mechanisms.

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 / D. Ideologies / 3. Conservatism

7257	All modern social systems seem to be conspiracies of the rich [More,T]
	Full Idea: When I consider any social system that prevails in the modern world, I can't see it as anything but a conspiracy of the rich to advance their own interests under the pretext of organizing society.
	From: Thomas More (Utopia [1516], Bk 2)
	A reaction: I'm afraid this is my own view of most conservative politics. I don't deny that there is a good case to be made for the conservative view (by Burke and Scruton, for example), but the rich will always latch onto its coat-tails. Cf. Idea 122.

24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / d. Representative democracy

7254	If you try to get elected, you should be permanently barred from seeking office [More,T]
	Full Idea: In Utopia, anyone who deliberately tries to get himself elected to a public office is permanently disqualified from holding one.
	From: Thomas More (Utopia [1516], Bk 2)
	A reaction: This echoes a thought found in Plato (Idea 2149). I've always liked this idea. Why can't we have elections were a group of the best people are invited to stand? Well, yes, it would lead to corruption... Still, the best should be pushed to the front.

25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 1. War / a. Just wars

7255	Only Utopians fail to see glory in warfare [More,T]
	Full Idea: Utopians are practically the only people on earth who fail to see anything glorious in war.
	From: Thomas More (Utopia [1516], Bk 2)
	A reaction: A refreshing thought for such an early date. Whatever dubious behaviour is nowadays attributed to Thomas More, you have to admire someone who writes this during the reign of Henry VIII.

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

7253	In Utopia, legal euthanasia is considered honourable [More,T]
	Full Idea: In Utopia, officially sanctioned euthanasia is regarded as an honourable death.
	From: Thomas More (Utopia [1516], Bk 2)
	A reaction: A bit surprising coming from a writer who is now a Catholic martyr and saint.

28. God / C. Attitudes to God / 2. Pantheism

7256	In Utopia, the Supreme Being is identical with Nature [More,T]
	Full Idea: Everyone in Utopia agrees that the Supreme Being (which they call Mythras) is identical with Nature.
	From: Thomas More (Utopia [1516], Bk 2)
	A reaction: This sounds remarkably like full-blown Spinozean pantheism, though it should be interpreted with caution. It certainly seems to show that pantheism was a possibility in the minds of late medieval religious thinkers.