Combining Texts

Ideas for 'fragments/reports', 'The Spirit of Democratic Capitalism' and 'Meaning and Reference'

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2 ideas

26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 5. Infinite in Nature

1748	Archelaus was the first person to say that the universe is boundless [Archelaus, by Diog. Laertius]
	Full Idea: Archelaus was the first person to say that the universe is boundless.
	From: report of Archelaus (fragments/reports [c.450 BCE]) by Diogenes Laertius - Lives of Eminent Philosophers 02.Ar.3

26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 8. Scientific Essentialism / b. Scientific necessity

5818	If water is H2O in the actual world, there is no possible world where it isn't H2O [Putnam]
	Full Idea: Once we have discovered that water (in the actual world) is H2O, nothing counts as a possible world in which water isn't H2O.
	From: Hilary Putnam (Meaning and Reference [1973], p.159)
	A reaction: Presumably there could be a possible world in which water is a bit cloudy, so the fact that it is H2O is being judged as essential. Presumably the scientists in the possible world might discover that we are wrong about the chemistry of water?