Combining Texts

Ideas for 'Metaphysics', 'The Trouble with Being Born' and 'In Defence of Convention T'

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

display all the ideas for this combination of texts

6 ideas

11. Knowledge Aims / A. Knowledge / 1. Knowledge
547 The ability to teach is a mark of true knowledge [Aristotle]
     Full Idea: The ability to teach is a distinguishing mark between the knowledgeable and the ignorant man.
     From: Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 0981b04)
11. Knowledge Aims / A. Knowledge / 6. Knowing How
10950 Things are produced from skill if the form of them is in the mind [Aristotle]
     Full Idea: Things are produced from skill if the form of them is in the mind.
     From: Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 1032a33)
     A reaction: This resembles the legal notion of 'mens rea', the conscious intention to commit the deed.
546 It takes skill to know causes, not experience [Aristotle]
     Full Idea: The skilled know the cause, whereas the experienced do not.
     From: Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 0981a29)
544 Experience knows particulars, but only skill knows universals [Aristotle]
     Full Idea: Experience is the knowledge of particulars and skill that of universals.
     From: Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 0981a14)
11. Knowledge Aims / B. Certain Knowledge / 1. Certainty
23073 Convictions are failures to study anything thoroughly [Cioran]
     Full Idea: We have convictions only if we have studied nothing thoroughly.
     From: E.M. Cioran (The Trouble with Being Born [1973], 08)
     A reaction: Excellent! I cannot imagine studying anything at all in great depth without it resulting in a dwindling expectation of full understanding. Philosophy in spades, but also probably any topic in history.
23078 Opinions are fine, but having convictions means something has gone wrong [Cioran]
     Full Idea: To have opinions is inevitable, is natural; to have convictions is less so. Each time I meet someone who has convictions, I wonder what intellectual vice, what flaw has caused him to acquire such a thing.
     From: E.M. Cioran (The Trouble with Being Born [1973], 12)
     A reaction: 'The best lack all conviction/ While the worst are full of passionate intensity' (Yeats). I agree with this. Convictions are so often accompanied by anger.