|
22100
|
Experienced time means no two mental moments are ever alike [Bergson]
|
|
Full Idea:
If duration [experienced time] is what we say, deep-seated psychic states are radically heterogeneous to each other, and it is impossible that any two of them should be quite alike, since they are two different moments in a life-story.
|
|
From:
Henri Bergson (Time and Free Will [1889], p.220), quoted by Pete A.Y. Gunter - Bergson p.174
|
|
A reaction:
This implies that we are intrinsically unpredictable, and there certainly can't be a regularity account of mental causation. The sense of time is said to make the self radically different from the rest of reality. Bergson later rejected dualism.
|
|
14793
|
The definition of a concept is just its experimental implications [Peirce]
|
|
Full Idea:
If one can define accurately all the conceivable experimental phenomena which the affirmation or denial of a concept could imply, one will have therein a complete definition of the concept, and there is absolutely nothing more in it.
|
|
From:
Charles Sanders Peirce (Essentials of Pragmatism [1905], I)
|
|
A reaction:
Strictly, I would have thought you could only affirm or deny a complete proposition, rather than a concept. What should I do with the concept of a 'unicorn'? Note that all theories, such as empiricism or pragmatism, begin with an account of our concepts.
|
|
7909
|
The Eightfold Path concerns morality, wisdom, and tranquillity [Ashvaghosha]
|
|
Full Idea:
The Eightfold Path has three steps concerning morality - right speech, right bodily action, and right livelihood; three of wisdom - right views, right intentions, and right effort; and two of tranquillity - right mindfulness and right concentration.
|
|
From:
Ashvaghosha (Saundaranandakavya [c.50], XVI)
|
|
A reaction:
Most of this translates quite comfortably into the aspirations of western philosophy. For example, 'right effort' sounds like Kant's claim that only a good will is truly good (Idea 3710). The Buddhist division is interesting for action theory.
|
|
7908
|
At the end of a saint, he is not located in space, but just ceases to be disturbed [Ashvaghosha]
|
|
Full Idea:
When an accomplished saint comes to the end, he does not go anywhere down in the earth or up in the sky, nor into any of the directions of space, but because his defilements have become extinct he simply ceases to be disturbed.
|
|
From:
Ashvaghosha (Saundaranandakavya [c.50], XVI)
|
|
A reaction:
To 'cease to be disturbed' is the most attractive account of heaven I have encountered. It all sounds a bit dull though. I wonder, as usual, how they know all this stuff.
|