Combining Texts

Ideas for 'Metaphysics', 'Ontology and Mathematical Truth' and 'Spinoza's Ethics'

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5 ideas

13. Knowledge Criteria / B. Internal Justification / 4. Foundationalism / e. Pro-foundations

583	The starting point of a proof is not a proof [Aristotle]
	Full Idea: Who defines the healthy man, or who is awake or asleep? This is a pursuit of foundations, but this is seeking an account where there isn't one. The starting point of a proof is not a proof.
	From: Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 1011a10)
	A reaction: a comment on Descartes

13. Knowledge Criteria / D. Scepticism / 5. Dream Scepticism

581	Dreams aren't a serious problem. No one starts walking round Athens next morning, having dreamt that they were there! [Aristotle]
	Full Idea: Is it really an issue whether things are true that appear to those asleep or to those awake? No one in Libya who dreamt he was in Athens, would set out for the Odeon next morning!
	From: Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 1010b09)

13. Knowledge Criteria / E. Relativism / 3. Subjectivism

585	If relativism is individual, how can something look sweet and not taste it, or look different to our two eyes? [Aristotle]
	Full Idea: If things are true relative to an individual, how can something seem honey to the sight but not to the taste, or, given that we have two eyes, things may not seem the same to the sight of both of them.
	From: Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 1011a24)

584	If truth is relative it is relational, and concerns appearances relative to a situation [Aristotle]
	Full Idea: The claim that all appearances are true makes all things relational. Hence the claim is shifted to all appearances being true relative to a subject, time, sense and context.
	From: Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 1011a20)
	A reaction: applies to Epicurus

13. Knowledge Criteria / E. Relativism / 6. Relativism Critique

576	If the majority had diseased taste, and only a few were healthy, relativists would have to prefer the former [Aristotle]
	Full Idea: When two men taste the same thing one will often find it sweet and the other bitter. Suppose all men were sick, except one or two who were healthy. It would then be the latter two who would be considered sick, and the others not!
	From: Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 1009b05)