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Full Idea
Naturalistic philosophers should look with favour on the finite regress that peters out without foundations or thresholds or essences. That every mammal has a mother does not imply an infinite regress. Mammals have secure reality without foundations.
Gist of Idea
That every mammal has a mother is a secure reality, but without foundations
Source
Daniel C. Dennett (Brainchildren [1998], Ch.25)
Book Ref
Dennett,Daniel C.: 'Brainchildren' [Penguin 1998], p.362
A Reaction
I love this thought, which has permeated my thinking quite extensively. Logicians are terrified of regresses, but this may be because they haven't understood the vagueness of language.
2526 | Philosophers regularly confuse failures of imagination with insights into necessity [Dennett] |
2523 | That every mammal has a mother is a secure reality, but without foundations [Dennett] |
2525 | Maybe language is crucial to consciousness [Dennett] |
2527 | Unconscious intentionality is the foundation of the mind [Dennett] |
2524 | A language of thought doesn't explain content [Dennett] |
2530 | Could a robot be made conscious just by software? [Dennett] |
2528 | Does consciousness need the concept of consciousness? [Dennett] |
2529 | Maybe there can be non-conscious concepts (e.g. in bees) [Dennett] |