Combining Texts

Ideas for 'Are Persons Bodies?', 'Twilight of the Idols' and 'Individuation'

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2 ideas

15. Nature of Minds / C. Capacities of Minds / 3. Abstraction by mind
Properties are facets of objects, only discussable separately by an act of abstraction [Lowe]
     Full Idea: In no sense is a property a 'constituent' of an object: it is merely a 'facet' or 'aspect' of an object - something which we can talk about or think of separately from that object only by an act of abstraction.
     From: E.J. Lowe (Individuation [2003], 8)
     A reaction: This appears to be in tune with traditional abstractionism, even though Lowe is committed to the reality of universals. To what do I refer when I say 'I like your car, apart from its colour'?
15. Nature of Minds / C. Capacities of Minds / 5. Generalisation by mind
The 'highest' concepts are the most general and empty concepts [Nietzsche]
     Full Idea: The 'highest concepts' ...are the most general, the emptiest concepts, the last fumes of evaporating reality.
     From: Friedrich Nietzsche (Twilight of the Idols [1889], 2.4)
     A reaction: This could be seen as an attack on the aspirations of all of philosophy, which seeks general truths out of the chaos of experience. Should we shut up, then, and just be and do?