Combining Texts

All the ideas for 'fragments/reports', 'The Same F' and 'Among the Dead Cities'

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4 ideas

9. Objects / F. Identity among Objects / 3. Relative Identity
12155 Statements of 'relative identity' are really statements of resemblance [Perry]
     Full Idea: Statements of 'relative' identity are not identity statements at all, but what I would prefer to call 'statements of resemblance' or 'common property staztements'.
     From: John Perry (The Same F [1970], n12)
     A reaction: This seems like a neat way to sweep the problem from our sight. There remains a nervous metaphysical problem, though, because something seems to be identical when we spot a resemblance. Even two shades of red have something identical in them.
20. Action / C. Motives for Action / 5. Action Dilemmas / b. Double Effect
7293 It is legitimate to do harm if it is the unintended side-effect of an effort to achieve a good [Grayling]
     Full Idea: The doctrine of double effect says that it is legitimate to do harm if the harm is the unintended side-effect of an effort to achieve a legitimate goal.
     From: A.C. Grayling (Among the Dead Cities [2006], Ch.6)
     A reaction: I think a key principle of morality is our duty to think about possible unnoticed consequences of our actions. To neglect concern for side-effects is wicked. Beyond that, the issue must concern the particulars of the situation.
21. Aesthetics / C. Artistic Issues / 7. Art and Morality
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?
25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 1. War / a. Just wars
7292 War must also have a good chance of success, and be waged with moderation [Grayling]
     Full Idea: To Aquinas's three conditions for war (Idea 7291) modern theorists have added two others: that to be just a war must have a reasonable chance of success, and that the means used to conduct it must be proportional to the ends sought.
     From: A.C. Grayling (Among the Dead Cities [2006], Ch.6)
     A reaction: These two principles strike me as being much more civilized and humane than Aquinas's original contribution, suggesting that in our theoretical thinking we might be making some progress.