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3 ideas
18969 | How do you distinguish three beliefs from four beliefs or two beliefs? [Quine] |
Full Idea: Suppose I say that I have given up precisely three beliefs since lunch. An over-coarse individuation could reduce the number to two, and an over-fine one could raise it to four. | |
From: Willard Quine (Propositional Objects [1965], p.144) | |
A reaction: Obviously if you ask how many beliefs I hold, it would be crazy to give a precise answer. But if I search for my cat, I give up my belief that it is in the kitchen, in the lounge and in the bathroom. That's precise enough to be three beliefs, I think. |
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. |
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. |