Combining Philosophers

All the ideas for Anaxarchus, Epicharmus and Robert Boyle

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21 ideas

2. Reason / D. Definition / 4. Real Definition
Essential definitions show the differences that discriminate things, and make them what they are [Boyle]
8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 1. Powers
Boyle attacked a contemporary belief that powers were occult things [Boyle, by Alexander,P]
8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 6. Dispositions / a. Dispositions
In the 17th century, 'disposition' usually just means the spatial arrangement of parts [Boyle, by Pasnau]
9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 2. Hylomorphism / a. Hylomorphism
Form is not a separate substance, but just the manner, modification or 'stamp' of matter [Boyle]
To cite a substantial form tells us what produced the effect, but not how it did it [Boyle]
9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 6. Constitution of an Object
Additional or removal of any part changes a thing, so people are never the same person [Epicharmus]
12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 2. Qualities in Perception / d. Secondary qualities
Boyle's term 'texture' is not something you feel, but is unobservable structures of particles [Boyle, by Alexander,P]
Boyle's secondary qualities are not illusory, or 'in the mind' [Boyle, by Alexander,P]
13. Knowledge Criteria / D. Scepticism / 1. Scepticism
Anaxarchus said that he was not even sure that he knew nothing [Anaxarchus, by Diog. Laertius]
13. Knowledge Criteria / E. Relativism / 1. Relativism
A dog seems handsome to another a dog, and even a pig to another pig [Epicharmus]
14. Science / D. Explanation / 1. Explanation / b. Aims of explanation
Explanation is generally to deduce it from something better known, which comes in degrees [Boyle]
14. Science / D. Explanation / 2. Types of Explanation / i. Explanations by mechanism
Explanation is deducing a phenomenon from some nature better known to us [Boyle]
14. Science / D. Explanation / 3. Best Explanation / b. Ultimate explanation
The best explanations get down to primary basics, but others go less deep [Boyle]
22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 3. Pleasure / f. Dangers of pleasure
Pleasures are like pirates - if you are caught they drown you in a sea of pleasures [Epicharmus]
23. Ethics / B. Contract Ethics / 1. Contractarianism
Hands wash hands; give that you may get [Epicharmus]
23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 3. Virtues / c. Justice
Against a villain, villainy is not a useless weapon [Epicharmus]
26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 6. Early Matter Theories / g. Atomism
The corpuscles just have shape, size and motion, which explains things without 'sympathies' or 'forces' [Boyle, by Alexander,P]
26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 7. Later Matter Theories / b. Corpuscles
The corpuscular theory allows motion, but does not include forces between the particles [Boyle, by Alexander,P]
27. Natural Reality / G. Biology / 3. Evolution
I don't see how mere moving matter can lead to the bodies of men and animals, and especially their seeds [Boyle]
28. God / A. Divine Nature / 3. Divine Perfections
God knows everything, and nothing is impossible for him [Epicharmus]
29. Religion / D. Religious Issues / 3. Problem of Evil / c. Human Error
Human logos is an aspect of divine logos, and is sufficient for successful living [Epicharmus]