more on this theme     |     more from this thinker

Single Idea 11958

[filed under theme 10. Modality / D. Knowledge of Modality / 4. Conceivable as Possible / b. Conceivable but impossible ]

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

The 4 ideas from 'Essays on Intellectual Powers 4: Conception'

23647 Objects have an essential constitution, producing its qualities, which we are too ignorant to define [Reid]
23646 Reference is by name, or a term-plus-circumstance, or ostensively, or by description [Reid]
23645 A word's meaning is the thing conceived, as fixed by linguistic experts [Reid]
11958 Impossibilites are easily conceived in mathematics and geometry [Reid, by Molnar]