Combining Texts

Ideas for 'Wisdom', 'Relativism' and 'Nature and Meaning of Numbers'

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2 ideas

9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 3. Objects in Thought
A thing is completely determined by all that can be thought concerning it [Dedekind]
     Full Idea: A thing (an object of our thought) is completely determined by all that can be affirmed or thought concerning it.
     From: Richard Dedekind (Nature and Meaning of Numbers [1888], I.1)
     A reaction: How could you justify this as an observation? Why can't there be unthinkable things (even by God)? Presumably Dedekind is offering a stipulative definition, but we may then be confusing epistemology with ontology.
9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 5. Individuation / a. Individuation
We may say that objects have intrinsic identity conditions, but still allow multiple accounts of them [O'Grady]
     Full Idea: Those defending the claim that objects exist with identity conditions not imposed by us, do not have to say that there is just one account of those objects possible.
     From: Paul O'Grady (Relativism [2002], Ch.3)
     A reaction: This seems right, but the test question is whether the mind of God contains a single unified theory/account. Are multiple accounts the result of human inadequacy? Yes, I surmise.