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Full Idea
Reid pointed out how easily conceivable mathematical and geometric impossibilities are.
Gist of Idea
Impossibilites are easily conceived in mathematics and geometry
Source
report of Thomas Reid (Essays on Intellectual Powers 4: Conception [1785], IV.III) by George Molnar - Powers 11.3
Book Ref
Molnar,George: 'Powers: a study in metaphysics', ed/tr. Mumford,Stephen [OUP 2003], p.182
A Reaction
The defence would be that you have to really really conceive them, and the only way the impossible can be conceived is by blurring it at the crucial point, or by claiming to conceive more than you actually can
| 3642 | Pythagoras' Theorem doesn't cease to be part of the essence of triangles just because we doubt it [Arnauld on Descartes] |
| 16582 | We can imagine a point swelling and contracting - but not how this could be done [Hobbes] |
| 11958 | Impossibilites are easily conceived in mathematics and geometry [Reid, by Molnar] |
| 8562 | It is possible to conceive what is not possible [Shoemaker] |
| 15252 | If Goldbach's Conjecture is true (and logically necessary), we may be able to conceive its opposite [Harré/Madden] |
| 9660 | The impossible can be imagined as long as it is a bit vague [Lewis] |
| 2407 | One can wrongly imagine two things being non-identical even though they are the same (morning/evening star) [Chalmers] |
| 3106 | If claims of metaphysical necessity are based on conceivability, we should be cautious [Segal] |
| 10652 | Conceivability may indicate possibility, but literary fantasy does not [Varzi] |
| 14714 | Contradictory claims about a necessary god both seem apriori coherent [Schroeter] |