display all the ideas for this combination of texts
4 ideas
8660 | There are potential infinities (never running out), but actual infinity is incoherent [Aristotle, by Friend] |
Full Idea: Aristotle developed his own distinction between potential infinity (never running out) and actual infinity (there being a collection of an actual infinite number of things, such as places, times, objects). He decided that actual infinity was incoherent. | |
From: report of Aristotle (works [c.330 BCE]) by Michèle Friend - Introducing the Philosophy of Mathematics 1.3 | |
A reaction: Friend argues, plausibly, that this won't do, since potential infinity doesn't make much sense if there is not an actual infinity of things to supply the demand. It seems to just illustrate how boggling and uncongenial infinity was to Aristotle. |
12058 | Aristotle's matter can become any other kind of matter [Aristotle, by Wiggins] |
Full Idea: Aristotle's conception of matter permits any kind of matter to become any other kind of matter. | |
From: report of Aristotle (works [c.330 BCE]) by David Wiggins - Substance 4.11.2 | |
A reaction: This is obviously crucial background information when we read Aristotle on matter. Our 92+ elements, and fixed fundamental particles, gives a quite different picture. Aristotle would discuss form and matter quite differently now. |
3401 | A common view is that causal connections must be instances of a law [Kim] |
Full Idea: A widely but not universally accepted principle is that causally connected events must instantiate a law. | |
From: Jaegwon Kim (Philosophy of Mind [1996], p.133) |
3407 | Laws are either 'strict', or they involve a 'ceteris paribus' clause [Kim] |
Full Idea: Some laws are held to be 'strict', and others involve a 'ceteris paribus' clause. | |
From: Jaegwon Kim (Philosophy of Mind [1996], p.143) |