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Ideas from 'Some Main Problems of Philosophy' by G.E. Moore [1911], by Theme Structure

[found in 'Some Main Problems of Philosophy' by Moore,G.E. [George Allen and Unwin 1953,04-192009-0]].

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1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 5. Aims of Philosophy / c. Philosophy as generalisation
17992 The main aim of philosophy is to describe the whole Universe.
                        Full Idea: It seems to me that the most important and interesting thing which philosophers have tried to do ...is to give a general description of the whole of the Universe.
                        From: G.E. Moore (Some Main Problems of Philosophy [1911], Ch. 1)
                        A reaction: He adds that they aim to show what is in it, and what might be in it, and how the two relate. This sort of big view is the one I favour. I think the hallmark of philosophical thought is a high level of generality. He next proceeds to defend common sense.