Combining Texts

All the ideas for 'fragments/reports', 'Substances without Substrata' and 'Letter Seven'

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3 ideas

19. Language / F. Communication / 6. Interpreting Language / c. Principle of charity

6316	We translate in a way that makes the largest possible number of statements true [Wilson,NL]
	Full Idea: We select as designatum that individual which will make the largest possible number of statements true.
	From: N.L. Wilson (Substances without Substrata [1959]), quoted by Willard Quine - Word and Object II.§13 n
	A reaction: From the Quine's reference, it sounds as if Wilson was the originator of the well-known principle of charity, later taken up by Davidson. If so, he should be famous, because it strikes me as a piece of fundamental and important wisdom.

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?

22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 1. Nature of Ethics / a. Preconditions for ethics

168	To understand morality requires a soul [Plato]
	Full Idea: Good and evil are meaningless to things that have no soul.
	From: Plato (Letter Seven [c.352 BCE], 334)
	A reaction: That is presumably psuché, and hence includes plants. Soulless things can still function well, but obviously that is not 'meaningful' to them.