6121
|
There are many psychophysicals laws - about the effects of sweets, colours and soft cushions [Mellor/Crane]
|
|
Full Idea:
There are many psychophysical laws, linking sensations to non-mental features of those who have them; the industries of anaesthetics, scents, narcotics, sweeteners, coloured paints, loudspeakers and soft cushions depend on them.
|
|
From:
DH Mellor / T Crane (There is no question of physicalism [1990], p.198)
|
|
A reaction:
It may be expressing it a little strongly to call these 'laws', but they are certainly reliable regularities, and they are probably enough to undermine Davidson's claim that such laws don't exist.
|
20565
|
Men are created equal, and with certain inalienable rights [Jefferson]
|
|
Full Idea:
We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
|
|
From:
Thomas Jefferson (U.S. Declaration of Independence [1775]), quoted by Johanna Oksala - Political Philosophy: all that matters Ch.4
|
|
A reaction:
In the context, saying equality and rights are 'natural' is just a way of saying we will fight to the death to defend them. The big modern problem for the U.S. is that nominal equality before the law doesn't ensure equality in society.
|
21091
|
It would be absurd if even a free constitution did not impose restraints, for the public good [Hume]
|
|
Full Idea:
A republican and free form of government would be an obvious absurdity, if the particular checks and controls, provided by the constitution, had really no influence, and made it not the interest, even of bad men, to act for the public good.
|
|
From:
David Hume (That Politics may be reduced to a Science [1750], p.14)
|
|
A reaction:
Presumably if you attain absolute power you can write any old constitution you like (Clause 1: the presidency is for life). But there does seem much point in doing it - unless it is to facilitate the use of the law for persecutions.
|
21092
|
Nobility either share in the power of the whole, or they compose the power of the whole [Hume]
|
|
Full Idea:
A nobility may possess power in two different ways. Either every nobleman shares the power as part of the whole body, or the whole body enjoys the power as composed of parts, which each have a distinct power and authority.
|
|
From:
David Hume (That Politics may be reduced to a Science [1750], p.15)
|
|
A reaction:
He says the first type is found in Venice, and is preferable to the second type, which is found in Poland. Presumably in the shared version there is some restraint on depraved nobles. The danger is each noble being an autocrat.
|