Combining Texts

Ideas for 'works', 'Conceptual truth and metaphysical necessity' and 'Phaedo'

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3 ideas

1. Philosophy / A. Wisdom / 1. Nature of Wisdom
Wisdom makes virtue and true goodness possible [Plato]
     Full Idea: It is wisdom that makes possible courage and self-control and integrity or, in a word, true goodness.
     From: Plato (Phaedo [c.382 BCE], 069b)
     A reaction: Aristotle also says that prudence (phronesis) makes virtue possible.
There is practical wisdom (for action), and theoretical wisdom (for deep understanding) [Aristotle, by Whitcomb]
     Full Idea: Aristotle takes wisdom to come in two forms, the practical and the theoretical, the former of which is good judgement about how to act, and the latter of which is deep knowledge or understanding.
     From: report of Aristotle (works [c.330 BCE]) by Dennis Whitcomb - Wisdom Intro
     A reaction: The interesting question is then whether the two are connected. One might be thoroughly 'sensible' about action, without counting as 'wise', which seems to require a broader view of what is being done. Whitcomb endorses Aristotle on this idea.
1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 5. Aims of Philosophy / b. Philosophy as transcendent
Philosophy is a purification of the soul ready for the afterlife [Plato]
     Full Idea: Souls which have purified themselves sufficiently by philosophy will live after death without bodies.
     From: Plato (Phaedo [c.382 BCE], 114b)
     A reaction: Purifying it of what? Error, or desire, or narrow-mindedness, or the physical?