Combining Texts

All the ideas for 'The Evolution of Modern Metaphysics', 'Hippocrates of Cos on the mind' and 'Against Method'

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5 ideas

1. Philosophy / E. Nature of Metaphysics / 1. Nature of Metaphysics

21959	Metaphysics is the most general attempt to make sense of things [Moore,AW]
	Full Idea: Metaphysics is the most general attempt to make sense of things.
	From: A.W. Moore (The Evolution of Modern Metaphysics [2012], Intro)
	A reaction: This is the first sentence of Moore's book, and a touchstone idea all the way through. It stands up well, because it says enough without committing to too much. I have to agree with it. It implies explanation as the key. I like generality too.

1. Philosophy / G. Scientific Philosophy / 1. Aims of Science

6601	Science rules the globe because of colonising power, not inherent rationality [Feyerabend]
	Full Idea: Science now reigns supreme all over the globe; but the reason was not insight in its 'inherent rationality' but power play (the colonising nations imposed their way of living) and the need for weapons.
	From: Paul Feyerabend (Against Method [1975], 3), quoted by Robert Fogelin - Walking the Tightrope of Reason Ch.5
	A reaction: A nice clear statement of ridiculous relativism about science. What gave the colonisers their power if it was not more accurate knowledge of how to manipulate nature?

11. Knowledge Aims / C. Knowing Reality / 3. Idealism / b. Transcendental idealism

21958	Appearances are nothing beyond representations, which is transcendental ideality [Moore,AW]
	Full Idea: Appearances in general are nothing outside our representations, which is just what we mean by transcendental ideality.
	From: A.W. Moore (The Evolution of Modern Metaphysics [2012], B535/A507)

14. Science / B. Scientific Theories / 6. Theory Holism

2561	For Feyerabend the meaning of a term depends on a whole theory [Feyerabend, by Rorty]
	Full Idea: For Feyerabend the meaning of a term depends on a whole theory containing the term.
	From: report of Paul Feyerabend (Against Method [1975]) by Richard Rorty - Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature 6.3

17. Mind and Body / E. Mind as Physical / 1. Physical Mind

23217	All of our happiness and misery arises entirely from the brain [Hippocrates]
	Full Idea: Men ought to know that from the brain, and from the brain alone, arise our pleasures, joys, laughter and jests, as well as our sorrow, pains, griefs and tears.
	From: Hippocrates (Hippocrates of Cos on the mind [c.430 BCE], p.32)
	A reaction: If this could be assertedly so confidently at that date, why was the fact so slow to catch on? Brain injuries should have convinced everyone.