Combining Philosophers

All the ideas for Rescher,N/Oppenheim,P, Xenophon and Celsus

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5 ideas

9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 8. Parts of Objects / c. Wholes from parts

12887	A whole must have one characteristic, an internal relation, and a structure [Rescher/Oppenheim]
	Full Idea: A whole must possess an attribute peculiar to and characteristic of it as a whole; there must be a characteristic relation of dependence between the parts; and the whole must have some structure which gives it characteristics.
	From: Rescher,N/Oppenheim,P (Logical Analysis of Gestalt Concepts [1955], p.90), quoted by Peter Simons - Parts 9.2
	A reaction: Simons says these are basically sensible conditions, and tries to fill them out. They seem a pretty good start, and I must resist the temptation to rush to borderline cases.

22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / h. Fine deeds

5845	Niceratus learnt the whole of Homer by heart, as a guide to goodness [Xenophon]
	Full Idea: Niceratus said that his father, because he was concerned to make him a good man, made him learn the whole works of Homer, and he could still repeat by heart the entire 'Iliad' and 'Odyssey'.
	From: Xenophon (Symposium [c.391 BCE], 3.5)
	A reaction: This clearly shows the status which Homer had in the teaching of morality in the time of Socrates, and it is precisely this acceptance of authority which he was challenging, in his attempts to analyse the true basis of virtue

25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 5. Education / b. Education principles

5833	Education is the greatest of human goods [Xenophon]
	Full Idea: Education is the greatest of human goods.
	From: Xenophon (Apology of Socrates [c.392 BCE], 22)
	A reaction: Of course, one might ask what education is for, and arrive at a greater good. If you ask what is the greatest good which a society can provide for you, or which you can give to your children, this seems to me a good answer.

25. Social Practice / F. Life Issues / 6. Animal Rights

1868	The world was made as much for animals as for man [Celsus]
	Full Idea: The world was made as much for the irrational animals as for men.
	From: Celsus (On the True Doctrine (Against Christians) [c.178], §V)
	A reaction: A good remark. It seems to be a classic distortion of European Christianity that the world is made for us, and that animals only exist to fill our sandwiches.

29. Religion / B. Monotheistic Religion / 4. Christianity / a. Christianity

1867	Christians presented Jesus as a new kind of logos to oppose that of the philosophers [Celsus]
	Full Idea: Christians put forth this Jesus not only as the son of God, but as the very Logos - not the pure and holy Logos known to the philosophers, but a new kind of Logos.
	From: Celsus (On the True Doctrine (Against Christians) [c.178], III)