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Single Idea 15545
[filed under theme 1. Philosophy / F. Analytic Philosophy / 1. Nature of Analysis
]
Full Idea
I suggest that Armstrong has an unfamiliar notion of analysis, as not primarily a quest for definitions, but as a quest for truth-makers.
Gist of Idea
Armstrong's analysis seeks truthmakers rather than definitions
Source
David Lewis (Armstrong on combinatorial possibility [1992], 'The demand')
Book Ref
Lewis,David: 'Papers in Metaphysics and Epistemology' [CUP 1999], p.203
A Reaction
This is not a dichotomy, I think, but a shift of emphasis. A definition will probably refer to truthmakers; a decent account of truthmakers would approximate a definition.
The
17 ideas
with the same theme
[strategy and value of breaking down ideas and reality]:
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5842
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Philosophical discussion involves dividing subject-matter into categories
[Socrates, by Xenophon]
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22521
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Our method of inquiry is to examine the smallest parts that make up the whole
[Aristotle]
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12997
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Analysis is the art of finding the middle term
[Leibniz]
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5021
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An idea is analysed perfectly when it is shown a priori that it is possible
[Leibniz]
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6118
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Philosophy is logical analysis, followed by synthesis
[Russell]
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6420
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Only by analysing is progress possible in philosophy
[Russell]
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6432
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Analysis gives new knowledge, without destroying what we already have
[Russell]
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14122
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Analysis gives us nothing but the truth - but never the whole truth
[Russell]
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7527
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Analysis for Moore and Russell is carving up the world, not investigating language
[Moore,GE, by Monk]
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19193
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Disputes that fail to use precise scientific terminology are all meaningless
[Tarski]
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13750
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Analysis aims at the structure of facts, which are needed to give a rationale to analysis
[Urmson, by Schaffer,J]
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8460
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Philosophers have given precise senses to deduction, probability, computability etc
[Quine/Ullian]
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12773
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Analytic philosophy has an exceptional arsenal of critical tools
[Fraassen]
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15545
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Armstrong's analysis seeks truthmakers rather than definitions
[Lewis]
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16288
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Analysis reduces primitives and makes understanding explicit (without adding new knowledge)
[Lewis]
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12865
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Analytic philosophers may prefer formal systems because natural language is such mess
[Simons]
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22334
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Analysis must include definitions, search for simples, concept analysis, and Kant's analysis
[Glock]
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