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Single Idea 22648
[filed under theme 2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 5. Objectivity
]
Full Idea
A single explanation of a fact only explains it from a single point of view.
Gist of Idea
A single explanation must have a single point of view
Source
William James (The Sentiment of Rationality [1882], p.23)
Book Ref
James,William: 'Selected Writings of William James', ed/tr. Bird,Graham [Everyman 1995], p.23
A Reaction
I take this to imply that multiple viewpoints lead us towards objectivity. The single viewpoint of an expert is of much greater value than that of a novice, on the whole.
The
47 ideas
from William James
9285
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'Consciousness' is a nonentity, a mere echo of the disappearing 'soul'
[James]
|
9286
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Consciousness is not a stuff, but is explained by the relations between experiences
[James]
|
6710
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You can only define a statement that something is 'true' by referring to its functional possibilities
[James]
|
22305
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If the hypothesis of God is widely successful, it is true
[James]
|
18972
|
Ideas are true in so far as they co-ordinate our experiences
[James]
|
18973
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New opinions count as 'true' if they are assimilated to an individual's current beliefs
[James]
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18974
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Truth is a species of good, being whatever proves itself good in the way of belief
[James]
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18971
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Theories are practical tools for progress, not answers to enigmas
[James]
|
18976
|
Private experience is the main evidence for God
[James]
|
18975
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We return to experience with concepts, where they show us differences
[James]
|
18978
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It is hard to grasp a cosmic mind which produces such a mixture of goods and evils
[James]
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18977
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The wonderful design of a woodpecker looks diabolical to its victims
[James]
|
18979
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Things with parts always have some structure, so they always appear to be designed
[James]
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18980
|
If there is a 'greatest knower', it doesn't follow that they know absolutely everything
[James]
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18981
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'Substance' is just a word for groupings and structures in experience
[James]
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18982
|
Pragmatism says all theories are instrumental - that is, mental modes of adaptation to reality
[James]
|
18985
|
True thoughts are just valuable instruments of action
[James]
|
18986
|
Truth is just a name for verification-processes
[James]
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18984
|
True ideas are those we can assimilate, validate, corroborate and verify (and false otherwise)
[James]
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18983
|
In many cases there is no obvious way in which ideas can agree with their object
[James]
|
18987
|
A 'thing' is simply carved out of reality for human purposes
[James]
|
18989
|
Pragmatism accepts any hypothesis which has useful consequences
[James]
|
18990
|
Nirvana means safety from sense experience, and hindus and buddhists are just afraid of life
[James]
|
18991
|
If the God hypothesis works well, then it is true
[James]
|
22640
|
We find satisfaction in consistency of all of our beliefs, perceptions and mental connections
[James]
|
22641
|
Realities just are, and beliefs are true of them
[James]
|
22642
|
Man has an intense natural interest in the consistency of his own thinking
[James]
|
22643
|
It seems that we feel rational when we detect no irrationality
[James]
|
22645
|
Understanding by means of causes is useless if they are not reduced to a minimum number
[James]
|
22644
|
Our greatest pleasure is the economy of reducing chaotic facts to one single fact
[James]
|
22646
|
We have a passion for knowing the parts of something, rather than the whole
[James]
|
22647
|
A complete system is just a classification of the whole world's ingredients
[James]
|
22648
|
A single explanation must have a single point of view
[James]
|
22649
|
Classification can only ever be for a particular purpose
[James]
|
22650
|
How can the ground of rationality be itself rational?
[James]
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22651
|
Dogs' curiosity only concerns what will happen next
[James]
|
22652
|
The mind has evolved entirely for practical interests, seen in our reflex actions
[James]
|
22653
|
Early Christianity says God recognises the neglected weak and tender impulses
[James]
|
22654
|
We can't know if the laws of nature are stable, but we must postulate it or assume it
[James]
|
22656
|
Trying to assess probabilities by mere calculation is absurd and impossible
[James]
|
22655
|
Scientific genius extracts more than other people from the same evidence
[James]
|
22657
|
All good philosophers start from a dumb conviction about which truths can be revealed
[James]
|
22658
|
Experimenters assume the theory is true, and stick to it as long as result don't disappoint
[James]
|
22659
|
It is wisdom to believe what you desire, because belief is needed to achieve it
[James]
|
22660
|
Evolution suggests prevailing or survival as a new criterion of right and wrong
[James]
|
23981
|
Rage is inconceivable without bodily responses; so there are no disembodied emotions
[James]
|
6570
|
Imagine millions made happy on condition that one person suffers endless lonely torture
[James]
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