Combining Texts

All the ideas for 'fragments/reports', 'The Iliad or the Poem of Force' and 'Collins Dictionary of Philosophy'

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4 ideas

12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 4. Sense Data / b. Nature of sense-data
Sensations are mental, but sense-data could be mind-independent [Vesey]
     Full Idea: Whereas a sensation is by definition mental, a sense-datum might be mind-independent.
     From: Godfrey Vesey (Collins Dictionary of Philosophy [1990], p.266)
     A reaction: This seems to be what Russell is getting at in 1912, as he clearly separates sense-data from sensations. Discussions of sense-data always assume they are mental, which may make them redundant - but so might making them physical.
21. Aesthetics / C. Artistic Issues / 7. Art and Morality
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?
24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 1. Social Power
Force is what turns man into a thing, and ultimately into a corpse [Weil]
     Full Idea: To define 'force' - it is that x that turns anybody who is subjected to it into a thing. Exercised to the limit, it turns man into a thing in the most literal sense: it makes a corpse out of him.
     From: Simone Weil (The Iliad or the Poem of Force [1940], p.183)
     A reaction: She celebrates The Iliad as the great examination of force in human affairs. I have felt that sense of reduction to a thing whenever anyone above me in the hierarchy has arbitrarily exerted their power over me.
25. Social Practice / D. Justice / 1. Basis of justice
Only people who understand force, and don't respect it, are capable of justice [Weil]
     Full Idea: Only he who has measured the dominion of force, and knows how not to respect it, is capable of love and justice.
     From: Simone Weil (The Iliad or the Poem of Force [1940], p.212)
     A reaction: There are, of course, occasions when we are grateful to people who exercise appropriate force on our behalf. I think she was concerned with what is inappropriate.