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3 ideas
9809 | Mathematics inscribes being as such [Badiou] |
Full Idea: Mathematics inscribes being as such. | |
From: Alain Badiou (Mathematics and Philosophy: grand and little [2004], p.12) | |
A reaction: I don't pretend to understand that, but there is something about the purity and certainty of mathematics that makes us feel we are grappling with the core of existence. Perhaps. The same might be said of stubbing your toe on a bedpost. |
9811 | It is of the essence of being to appear [Badiou] |
Full Idea: It is of the essence of being to appear. | |
From: Alain Badiou (Mathematics and Philosophy: grand and little [2004], p.16) | |
A reaction: Nice slogan. In my humble opinion 'continental' philosophy is well worth reading because, despite the fluffy rhetoric and the shameless egotism and the desire to shock the bourgeoisie, they occasionally make wonderfully thought-provoking remarks. |
15730 | Extreme nominalists say all classification is arbitrary convention [Quinton] |
Full Idea: Pure, extreme nominalism sees all classification as the product of arbitrary convention. | |
From: Anthony Quinton (The Nature of Things [1973], 9 'Nat') | |
A reaction: I'm not sure what the word 'arbitrary' is doing there. Nominalists are not daft, and if they can classify any way they like, they are not likely to choose an 'arbitrary' system. Pragmatism tells the right story here. |