Combining Texts

Ideas for 'works', 'A Universe from Nothing' and 'De Ente et Essentia (Being and Essence)'

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2 ideas

14. Science / D. Explanation / 1. Explanation / b. Aims of explanation

17085	A good explanation totally rules out the opposite explanation (so Forms are required) [Plato, by Ruben]
	Full Idea: For Plato, an acceptable explanation is one such that there is no possibility of there being the opposite explanation at all, and he thought that only explanations in terms of the Forms, but never physical explanations, could meet this requirement.
	From: report of Plato (works [c.375 BCE]) by David-Hillel Ruben - Explaining Explanation Ch 2
	A reaction: [Republic 436c is cited]

14. Science / D. Explanation / 2. Types of Explanation / k. Explanations by essence

11198	Definition of essence makes things understandable [Aquinas]
	Full Idea: It is definition of essence that makes things understandable.
	From: Thomas Aquinas (De Ente et Essentia (Being and Essence) [1267], p.92)
	A reaction: The aim of philosophy is understanding, which is achieved by successful explanation. I totally agree with this Aristotelian view, so neatly summarised by Aquinas.