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Single Idea 1895
[filed under theme 26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 8. Particular Causation / c. Conditions of causation
]
Full Idea
The majority say causes are immediate (when they are directly proportional to effects), or associate (making an equal contribution to effects), or cooperant (making a slight contribution).
Gist of Idea
Causes are either equal to the effect, or they link equally with other causes, or they contribute slightly
Source
Sextus Empiricus (Outlines of Pyrrhonism [c.180], III.15)
Book Ref
Sextus Empiricus: 'Outlines of Pyrrhonism', ed/tr. Bury,R.G. [Prometheus 1990], p.191
The
37 ideas
from 'Outlines of Pyrrhonism'
1878
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Water that seems lukewarm can seem very hot on inflamed skin
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1879
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Sickness is perfectly natural to the sick, so their natural perceptions should carry some weight
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1880
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Some actions seem shameful when sober but not when drunk
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1881
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The same oar seems bent in water and straight when out of it
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1870
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The basis of scepticism is the claim that every proposition has an equal opposing proposition
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1882
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The necks of doves appear different in colour depending on the angle of viewing
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1871
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Whether honey is essentially sweet may be doubted, as it is a matter of judgement rather than appearance
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1872
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The same tower appears round from a distance, but square close at hand
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1873
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If we press the side of an eyeball, objects appear a different shape
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1874
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How can we judge between our impressions and those of other animals, when we ourselves are involved?
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1876
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If we enjoy different things, presumably we receive different impressions
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1877
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If we had no hearing or sight, we would assume no sound or sight exists, so there may be unsensed qualities
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1884
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If we utter three steps of a logical argument, they never exist together
[Sext.Empiricus]
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12196
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A valid hypothetical syllogism is 'that which does not begin with a truth and end with a falsehood'
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1885
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Proof moves from agreed premises to a non-evident inference
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1886
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If you don't view every particular, you may miss the one which disproves your universal induction
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1887
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You cannot divide anything into many parts, because after the first division you are no longer dividing the original
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1889
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If an argument has an absurd conclusion, we should not assent to the absurdity, but avoid the absurd argument
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1890
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We distinguish ambiguities by seeing what is useful
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1883
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How can the intellect know if sensation is reliable if it doesn't directly see external objects?
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1902
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Since Socrates either died when he was alive (a contradiction) or died when he was dead (meaningless), he didn't die
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1894
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Some say that causes are physical, some say not
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1903
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If motion and rest are abolished, so is time
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1904
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Time must be unlimited, but past and present can't be non-existent, and can't be now, so time does not exist
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1905
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How can time be divisible if we can't compare one length of time with another?
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1895
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Causes are either equal to the effect, or they link equally with other causes, or they contribute slightly
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1896
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If there were no causes then everything would have been randomly produced by everything
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1910
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With us it is shameful for men to wear earrings, but among Syrians it is considered noble
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1897
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Knowing an effect results from a cause means knowing that the cause belongs with the effect, which is circular
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1911
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Even if all known nations agree on a practice, there may be unknown nations which disagree
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1898
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Cause can't exist before effect, or exist at the same time, so it doesn't exist
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1891
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How can we agree on the concept of God, unless we agree on his substance or form or place?
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1892
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The existence of God can't be self-evident or everyone would have agreed on it, so it needs demonstration
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1899
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Does the original self-mover push itself from behind, or pull itself from in front?
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1900
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If time and place are infinitely divided, it becomes impossible for movement ever to begin
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1901
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If all atoms, times and places are the same, everything should move with equal velocity
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1893
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If God foresaw evil he would presumably prevent it, and if he only foresees some things, why those things?
[Sext.Empiricus]
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