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Single Idea 6582
[filed under theme 10. Modality / C. Sources of Modality / 3. Necessity by Convention
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Full Idea
Convention, to exist at all, must have a basis in something that is not conventional; conventions, to work, need something nonconventional to build upon and shape.
Gist of Idea
Conventions can only work if they are based on something non-conventional
Source
Robert Fogelin (Walking the Tightrope of Reason [2003], Ch.3)
Book Ref
Fogelin,Robert: 'Walking the Tightrope of Reason' [OUP 2004], p.75
A Reaction
Fogelin attributes his point to Hume. I agree entirely. No convention could ever possibly catch on in a society unless there were some point to it. If you can't see a point to a convention (like wearing ties) then start looking, because it's there.
The
22 ideas
from Robert Fogelin
6557
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Humans may never be able to attain a world view which is both rich and consistent
[Fogelin]
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6555
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We are also irrational, with a unique ability to believe in bizarre self-created fictions
[Fogelin]
|
6560
|
The law of noncontradiction is traditionally the most basic principle of rationality
[Fogelin]
|
6565
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The law of noncontradiction makes the distinction between asserting something and denying it
[Fogelin]
|
6574
|
Legal reasoning is analogical, not deductive
[Fogelin]
|
6575
|
Philosophy may never find foundations, and may undermine our lives in the process
[Fogelin]
|
6568
|
A game can be played, despite having inconsistent rules
[Fogelin]
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6572
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Deterrence, prevention, rehabilitation and retribution can come into conflict in punishments
[Fogelin]
|
6573
|
Retributivists say a crime can be 'paid for'; deterrentists still worry about potential victims
[Fogelin]
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6586
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Cynics are committed to morality, but disappointed or disgusted by human failings
[Fogelin]
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6583
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Radical perspectivism replaces Kant's necessary scheme with many different schemes
[Fogelin]
|
6582
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Conventions can only work if they are based on something non-conventional
[Fogelin]
|
6576
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My view is 'circumspect rationalism' - that only our intellect can comprehend the world
[Fogelin]
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6589
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Knowledge is legitimate only if all relevant defeaters have been eliminated
[Fogelin]
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6596
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For coherentists, circularity is acceptable if the circle is large, rich and coherent
[Fogelin]
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6597
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A rule of justification might be: don't raise the level of scrutiny without a good reason
[Fogelin]
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6588
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Scepticism is cartesian (sceptical scenarios), or Humean (future), or Pyrrhonian (suspend belief)
[Fogelin]
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6590
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Scepticism deals in remote possibilities that are ineliminable and set the standard very high
[Fogelin]
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6585
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Rationality is threatened by fear of inconsistency, illusions of absolutes or relativism, and doubt
[Fogelin]
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6604
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Saying 'It's all a matter to taste' ignores the properties of the object discussed
[Fogelin]
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6605
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Critics must be causally entangled with their subject matter
[Fogelin]
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6607
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The word 'beautiful', when deprived of context, is nearly contentless
[Fogelin]
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