Combining Texts

All the ideas for 'works', 'Contrib to Critique of Hegel's Phil of Right' and 'Intro to 'Provenance of Pure Reason''

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5 ideas

5. Theory of Logic / K. Features of Logics / 1. Axiomatisation

13416	Mathematics must be based on axioms, which are true because they are axioms, not vice versa [Tait, by Parsons,C]
	Full Idea: The axiomatic conception of mathematics is the only viable one. ...But they are true because they are axioms, in contrast to the view advanced by Frege (to Hilbert) that to be a candidate for axiomhood a statement must be true.
	From: report of William W. Tait (Intro to 'Provenance of Pure Reason' [2005], p.4) by Charles Parsons - Review of Tait 'Provenance of Pure Reason' §2
	A reaction: This looks like the classic twentieth century shift in the attitude to axioms. The Greek idea is that they must be self-evident truths, but the Tait-style view is that they are just the first steps in establishing a logical structure. I prefer the Greeks.

22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / e. Human nature

7667	There are two sides to men - the pleasantly social, and the violent and creative [Diderot, by Berlin]
	Full Idea: Diderot is among the first to preach that there are two men: the artificial man, who belongs in society and seeks to please, and the violent, bold, criminal instinct of a man who wishes to break out (and, if controlled, is responsible for works of genius.
	From: report of Denis Diderot (works [1769], Ch.3) by Isaiah Berlin - The Roots of Romanticism
	A reaction: This has an obvious ancestor in Plato's picture (esp. in 'Phaedrus') of the two conflicting sides to the psuché, which seem to be reason and emotion. In Diderot, though, the suppressed man has virtues, which Plato would deny.

24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 4. Changing the State / c. Revolution

21991	The middle class gain freedom through property, but workers can only free all of humanity [Marx, by Singer]
	Full Idea: Where the middle class can win freedom for themselves on the basis of rights to property - thus excluding others from their freedom - the working class have nothing but their title as human beings. They only liberate themselves by liberating humanity.
	From: report of Karl Marx (Contrib to Critique of Hegel's Phil of Right [1844]) by Peter Singer - Marx 4
	A reaction: Individual workers might gain freedom via education, marriage, or entrepreneurship, or by opting for total simplicity of life, but in general Marx seems to be right about this. But we must ask what sort of 'freedom' is needed.

21990	Theory is as much a part of a revolution as material force is [Marx]
	Full Idea: Material force must be overthrown by material force. But theory also becomes a material force once it has gripped the masses.
	From: Karl Marx (Contrib to Critique of Hegel's Phil of Right [1844], Intro p.69), quoted by Peter Singer - Marx 4
	A reaction: A huge problem, I think, is that every theory (even conservatism) has to be simplified in a democracy if it is to grip the imagination of the majority. My current hatred is labels in political philosophy. They give us a cartoon view of the world.

29. Religion / D. Religious Issues / 1. Religious Commitment / a. Religious Belief

7128	Religion is the opium of the people, and real happiness requires its abolition [Marx]
	Full Idea: Religion is the opium of the people. The abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is required for their real happiness.
	From: Karl Marx (Contrib to Critique of Hegel's Phil of Right [1844], Intro)
	A reaction: Not being religious myself, I have some sympathy with this ringing clarion-call. However, while opium satisfies an artificial and superficial need, religion certainly seems to speak to something deeper and more central in people.