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Single Idea 6118
[filed under theme 1. Philosophy / F. Analytic Philosophy / 1. Nature of Analysis
]
Full Idea
The business of philosophy, as I conceive it, is essentially that of logical analysis, followed by logical synthesis.
Gist of Idea
Philosophy is logical analysis, followed by synthesis
Source
Bertrand Russell (Logical Atomism [1924], p.162)
Book Ref
Russell,Bertrand: 'Russell's Logical Atomism', ed/tr. Pears,David [Fontana 1972], p.162
A Reaction
I am uneasy about Russell's hopes for the contribution that logic could make, but I totally agree that analysis is the route to wisdom, and I take Aristotle as my role model of an analytical philosopher, rather than the modern philosophers of logic.
Related Idea
Idea 19577
Everything is a chaotic unity, then we abstract, then we reunify the world into a free alliance [Novalis]
The
17 ideas
with the same theme
[strategy and value of breaking down ideas and reality]:
5842
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Philosophical discussion involves dividing subject-matter into categories
[Socrates, by Xenophon]
|
22521
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Our method of inquiry is to examine the smallest parts that make up the whole
[Aristotle]
|
12997
|
Analysis is the art of finding the middle term
[Leibniz]
|
5021
|
An idea is analysed perfectly when it is shown a priori that it is possible
[Leibniz]
|
6118
|
Philosophy is logical analysis, followed by synthesis
[Russell]
|
6420
|
Only by analysing is progress possible in philosophy
[Russell]
|
6432
|
Analysis gives new knowledge, without destroying what we already have
[Russell]
|
14122
|
Analysis gives us nothing but the truth - but never the whole truth
[Russell]
|
7527
|
Analysis for Moore and Russell is carving up the world, not investigating language
[Moore,GE, by Monk]
|
19193
|
Disputes that fail to use precise scientific terminology are all meaningless
[Tarski]
|
13750
|
Analysis aims at the structure of facts, which are needed to give a rationale to analysis
[Urmson, by Schaffer,J]
|
8460
|
Philosophers have given precise senses to deduction, probability, computability etc
[Quine/Ullian]
|
12773
|
Analytic philosophy has an exceptional arsenal of critical tools
[Fraassen]
|
15545
|
Armstrong's analysis seeks truthmakers rather than definitions
[Lewis]
|
16288
|
Analysis reduces primitives and makes understanding explicit (without adding new knowledge)
[Lewis]
|
12865
|
Analytic philosophers may prefer formal systems because natural language is such mess
[Simons]
|
22334
|
Analysis must include definitions, search for simples, concept analysis, and Kant's analysis
[Glock]
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