5 ideas
18702 | Names, descriptions and predicates refer to things; without that, language and thought are baffling [Davidson] |
Full Idea: The simple thesis that names and descriptions often refer to things, and that predicates often have an extension in the world of things, is obvious, and essential to the most elementary appreciation of both language and the thoughts we express. | |
From: Donald Davidson (Replies to Critics [1998], p.323) | |
A reaction: In 1983 Davidson had been a rare modern champion of the coherence theory of truth, but this is his clearest later renunciation of that view (and quite right too). |
468 | Musical performance can reveal a range of virtues [Damon of Ath.] |
Full Idea: In singing and playing the lyre, a boy will be likely to reveal not only courage and moderation, but also justice. | |
From: Damon (fragments/reports [c.460 BCE], B4), quoted by (who?) - where? |
7506 | God made man in his own image [Anon (Tor)] |
Full Idea: And God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness. | |
From: Anon (Tor) (01: Book of Genesis [c.750 BCE], 1.26) | |
A reaction: Since we are obviously not identical in every way with God, we can presumably choose in which respects we think of ourselves as being like Him. Reason, understanding, beauty, goodness, consciousness? A troublesome verse, challenged by Darwin. |
16782 | The names of all the types of creature were given forever by Adam [Anon (Tor)] |
Full Idea: Whatsoever Adam called any living creature, the same is its name. And Adam called all the beasts by their names, and all the fowls of the air, and all the cattle of the field. | |
From: Anon (Tor) (01: Book of Genesis [c.750 BCE], 02:20) |
4013 | And God saw the light, that it was good [Anon (Tor)] |
Full Idea: And God saw the light, that it was good. | |
From: Anon (Tor) (01: Book of Genesis [c.750 BCE], 01.04) | |
A reaction: The text seems to suggest that God did not decide that it was good, but that it conformed to a standard of goodness. |