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Full Idea
If we both refute the objections and leave the common opinions undisturbed, we shall have proved the case sufficiently.
Gist of Idea
It is enough if we refute the objections and leave common opinions undisturbed
Source
Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE], 1145b05), quoted by Stephen Boulter - Why Medieval Philosophy Matters 3
Book Ref
Boulter,Stephen: 'Why Medieval Philosophy Matters' [Bloomsbury 2019], p.75
A Reaction
This quotation is a sacred text for philosophers who place a high value on the consensus of thinking among the majority of people. I hate it when philosophers hijack an ordinary word and assign it a different meaning.
Related Idea
Idea 95 If everyone believes it, it is true [Aristotle]
| 22141 | It is enough if we refute the objections and leave common opinions undisturbed [Aristotle] |
| 95 | If everyone believes it, it is true [Aristotle] |
| 6492 | Reid is seen as the main direct realist of the eighteenth century [Reid, by Robinson,H] |
| 23654 | In obscure matters the few must lead the many, but the many usually lead in common sense [Reid] |
| 23633 | Many truths seem obvious, and point to universal agreement - which is what we find [Reid] |
| 8794 | There are very few really obvious truths, and not much can be proved from them [Sosa] |
| 2960 | Commonsense realism must account for the similarity of genuine perceptions and known illusions [Lockwood] |
| 22668 | Apprehension is a complex intellect grasping the essence of a complex object [Holt,L] |
| 14466 | A chief task of philosophy is making reflective sense of our common sense worldview [Thomasson] |