Combining Texts

All the ideas for 'fragments/reports', 'Thoughts without Laws' and 'works'

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5 ideas

6. Mathematics / C. Sources of Mathematics / 6. Logicism / b. Type theory

6409	The 'simple theory of types' distinguishes levels among properties [Ramsey, by Grayling]
	Full Idea: The idea that there should be something like a distinction of levels among properties is captured in Ramsey's 'simple theory of types'.
	From: report of Frank P. Ramsey (works [1928]) by A.C. Grayling - Russell
	A reaction: I merely report this, though it is not immediately obvious how anyone would decide which 'level' a type belonged on.

11. Knowledge Aims / A. Knowledge / 4. Belief / a. Beliefs

12582	The function of beliefs is to produce beliefs-that-p when p [Millikan]
	Full Idea: Presumably it is a proper function of the belief-manufacturing mechanisms in John to produce beliefs-that-p only if and when p.
	From: Ruth Garrett Millikan (Thoughts without Laws [1986], p.69), quoted by Christopher Peacocke - A Study of Concepts 5.2
	A reaction: This is the 'teleological' account of belief, which is trying to fit belief into an evolutionary view of humans. It is doubtful whether you can say mental states are just their 'proper' function, because then piano-playing becomes a puzzle.

11. Knowledge Aims / A. Knowledge / 4. Belief / c. Aim of beliefs

3212	Beliefs are maps by which we steer [Ramsey]
	Full Idea: Beliefs are maps by which we steer.
	From: Frank P. Ramsey (works [1928]), quoted by Georges Rey - Contemporary Philosophy of Mind p.259 n5

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

27. Natural Reality / G. Biology / 3. Evolution

5989	Archelaus said life began in a primeval slime [Archelaus, by Schofield]
	Full Idea: Archelaus wrote that life on Earth began in a primeval slime.
	From: report of Archelaus (fragments/reports [c.450 BCE]) by Malcolm Schofield - Archelaus
	A reaction: This sounds like a fairly clearcut assertion of the production of life by evolution. Darwin's contribution was to propose the mechanism for achieving it. We should honour the name of Archelaus for this idea.