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Single Idea 15209

[filed under theme 1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 5. Aims of Philosophy / e. Philosophy as reason ]

Full Idea

Just as the tiniest error in navigation may lead to a landfall even on the wrong continent, so the acceptance of apparently innocuous principles can lead to doctrines which, if accepted, would render intellectual life impossible.

Gist of Idea

Like disastrous small errors in navigation, small misunderstandings can wreck intellectual life

Source

Harré,R./Madden,E.H. (Causal Powers [1975], 1.I.A)

Book Ref

Harré,R/Madden,E.H.: 'Causal Powers: A Theory of Natural Necessity' [Blackwell 1975], p.1

A Reaction

If one lived life by an axiom system, and one of the axioms was a bit off kilter, then this idea would be a powerful one. Note that it is only 'intellectual' life that is screwed up, but even there a plurality of ideas keep correcting one another.

The 18 ideas with the same theme [philosophy explores where reason take us]:

15447 We shouldn't always follow where the argument leads! [Lewis on Plato]
23767 The winds of the discussion should decide its destination [Plato]
5891 Philosophy is the collection of rational arguments [Cicero]
17240 Definitions are the first step in philosophy [Hobbes]
5631 Reason is only interested in knowledge, actions and hopes [Kant]
21406 Because there is only one human reason, there can only be one true philosophy from principles [Kant]
6184 Consistency is the highest obligation of a philosopher [Kant]
21753 If we look at the world rationally, the world assumes a rational aspect [Hegel]
19241 An idea on its own isn't an idea, because they are continuous systems [Peirce]
24143 Thinkers might agree some provisional truths, as methodological assumptions [Nietzsche]
17641 Discoveries in mathematics can challenge philosophy, and offer it a new foundation [Russell]
5189 Philosophers should abandon speculation, as philosophy is wholly critical [Ayer]
21896 Philosophy aims to build foundations for thought [Derrida, by May]
15209 Like disastrous small errors in navigation, small misunderstandings can wreck intellectual life [Harré/Madden]
9808 Philosophy aims to reveal the grandeur of mathematics [Badiou]
6851 We overvalue whether arguments are valid, and undervalue whether they are interesting [Monk]
9593 Progress in philosophy is incremental, not an immature seeking after drama [Williamson]
6855 Interesting philosophers hardly every give you explicitly valid arguments [Martin,M]