Combining Philosophers

All the ideas for Tom Clark, Myles F. Burnyeat and James Baillie

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3 ideas

5. Theory of Logic / D. Assumptions for Logic / 4. Identity in Logic

3299	In logic identity involves reflexivity (x=x), symmetry (if x=y, then y=x) and transitivity (if x=y and y=z, then x=z) [Baillie]
	Full Idea: In logic identity is an equivalence relation, which involves reflexivity (x=x), symmetry (if x=y, then y=x), and transitivity (if x=y and y=z, then x=z).
	From: James Baillie (Problems in Personal Identity [1993], Intr p.4)

15. Nature of Minds / B. Features of Minds / 1. Consciousness / d. Purpose of consciousness

4741	A very powerful computer might have its operations restricted by the addition of consciousness [Clark,T]
	Full Idea: It seems possible that if a powerful multi-tasking computer was then given consciousness, this might restrict its operations instead of enhancing them.
	From: Tom Clark (talk [2003]), quoted by PG - Db (ideas)
	A reaction: A nice thought, because it challenges the usual view - that consciousness brings huge intellectual liberty to a mind, and that a mind without it is necessarily restricted. Maybe consciousness is a bottleneck.

20. Action / C. Motives for Action / 3. Acting on Reason / b. Intellectualism

4377	Intellectualism is an excessive emphasis on reasoning in moral philosophy [Burnyeat]
	Full Idea: Intellectualism, a one-sided preoccupation with reason and reasoning, is a perennial failing in moral philosophy.
	From: Myles F. Burnyeat (Aristotle on Learning to be Good [1980], p.70)
	A reaction: But Kant's reply would be that while there is much more to moral behaviour, the only part which matters in morality is the reasoning part. And Socrates' view (ignorance is evil) is not obviously wrong.