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Single Idea 5842

[filed under theme 1. Philosophy / F. Analytic Philosophy / 1. Nature of Analysis ]

Full Idea

Self-discipline and avoidance of pleasure makes people most capable of philosophical discussion, which is called 'discussion' (dialegesthai - sort out) because people divide their subject-matter into categories.

Gist of Idea

Philosophical discussion involves dividing subject-matter into categories

Source

report of Socrates (reports of career [c.420 BCE]) by Xenophon - Memorabilia of Socrates 4.5.12

Book Ref

Xenophon: 'Conversations of Socrates', ed/tr. Waterfield,R/Tredennick,H. [Penguin 1990], p.205


A Reaction

This could be the original slogan for analytical philosophy, as far as I am concerned. I don't think philosophy aims at complete and successful analysis (cf. Idea 2958), but at revealing the structure and interconnection of ideas. This is wisdom.

Related Idea

Idea 2958 No one has ever succeeded in producing an acceptable non-trivial analysis of anything [Lockwood]


The 17 ideas with the same theme [strategy and value of breaking down ideas and reality]:

Philosophical discussion involves dividing subject-matter into categories [Socrates, by Xenophon]
Our method of inquiry is to examine the smallest parts that make up the whole [Aristotle]
Analysis is the art of finding the middle term [Leibniz]
An idea is analysed perfectly when it is shown a priori that it is possible [Leibniz]
Philosophy is logical analysis, followed by synthesis [Russell]
Only by analysing is progress possible in philosophy [Russell]
Analysis gives new knowledge, without destroying what we already have [Russell]
Analysis gives us nothing but the truth - but never the whole truth [Russell]
Analysis for Moore and Russell is carving up the world, not investigating language [Moore,GE, by Monk]
Disputes that fail to use precise scientific terminology are all meaningless [Tarski]
Analysis aims at the structure of facts, which are needed to give a rationale to analysis [Urmson, by Schaffer,J]
Philosophers have given precise senses to deduction, probability, computability etc [Quine/Ullian]
Analytic philosophy has an exceptional arsenal of critical tools [Fraassen]
Armstrong's analysis seeks truthmakers rather than definitions [Lewis]
Analysis reduces primitives and makes understanding explicit (without adding new knowledge) [Lewis]
Analytic philosophers may prefer formal systems because natural language is such mess [Simons]
Analysis must include definitions, search for simples, concept analysis, and Kant's analysis [Glock]