Combining Texts

Ideas for 'Mechanisms', 'What is Philosophy?' and 'The Metaphysics within Physics'

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3 ideas

2. Reason / B. Laws of Thought / 6. Ockham's Razor
If the universe is profligate, the Razor leads us astray [Maudlin]
     Full Idea: If the universe has been profligate, then Ockham's Razor will lead us astray.
     From: Tim Maudlin (The Metaphysics within Physics [2007], Intro)
     A reaction: That is, there may be a vast number of entities which exist beyond what seems to be 'necessary'.
The Razor rightly prefers one cause of multiple events to coincidences of causes [Maudlin]
     Full Idea: The Razor is good when it councils higher credence to explanations which posit a single cause to multiple events that occur in a striking pattern, over explanations involving coincidental multiple causes.
     From: Tim Maudlin (The Metaphysics within Physics [2007], 2.5)
     A reaction: This is in the context of Maudlin warning against embracing the Razor too strongly. Presumably inductive success suggests that the world supports this particular use of the Razor.
2. Reason / C. Styles of Reason / 3. Eristic
'Eris' is the divinity of conflict, the opposite of Philia, the god of friendship [Deleuze/Guattari]
     Full Idea: 'Eris' is the Greek divinity of discord, conflict, and strife, the complementary opposite of Philia, the divinity of union and friendship.
     From: G Deleuze / F Guattari (What is Philosophy? [1991], 1.2 n)
     A reaction: Are these actual gods? This interestingly implies that the wonders of dialectic and Socrates' elenchus are simply aspects of friendship, which was elevated by Epicurus to the highest good. The Greeks just wanted wonderful friends and fine speeches.