Combining Texts

Ideas for 'Phenomenalism', 'Essence and Modality' and 'The Concept of Mind'

unexpand these ideas     |    start again     |     choose another area for these texts

display all the ideas for this combination of texts

---

2 ideas

1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 5. Aims of Philosophy / a. Philosophy as worldly

18005	Philosophy aims to become more disciplined about categories [Ryle]
	Full Idea: Philosophy is the replacement of category-habits by category-disciplines.
	From: Gilbert Ryle (The Concept of Mind [1949], Intro p.8), quoted by Ofra Magidor - Category Mistakes 1.2
	A reaction: I rather like this. It fits the view the idea that metaphysics aims to give the structure of reality. If there are not reasonably uniform categories for things, then reality is indescribable. Improving our categories seems a thoroughly laudable aim.

1. Philosophy / F. Analytic Philosophy / 4. Conceptual Analysis

11159	My account shows how the concept works, rather than giving an analysis [Fine,K]
	Full Idea: My assimilation of essence to definition ...may not provide us with an analysis of the concept, but it does provide us with a good model of how the concept works.
	From: Kit Fine (Essence and Modality [1994], p. 3)
	A reaction: An example of the modern shift in analytic philosophy, away from the dream of given a complete analysis of a concept, towards giving an account of the concepts relationships. Compare Shoemaker in Idea 8559.