Combining Texts

All the ideas for 'works', 'fragments/reports' and 'Letters to Leibniz'

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3 ideas

4. Formal Logic / D. Modal Logic ML / 7. Barcan Formula
No one can conceive of a possible substance, apart from those which God has created [Arnauld]
     Full Idea: I am much mistaken if there is anyone who dares to say that he can conceive of a purely possible substance, …for although one talks so much of them, one never conceives them except according to the notion of those which God has created.
     From: Antoine Arnauld (Letters to Leibniz [1686], 1686.05.13), quoted by David Wiggins - Sameness and Substance 4.2
     A reaction: This idea cashes out in the 'necessitism' of Tim Williamson, and views on the Barcan formulae in modal logic.
13. Knowledge Criteria / D. Scepticism / 1. Scepticism
Anaxarchus said that he was not even sure that he knew nothing [Anaxarchus, by Diog. Laertius]
     Full Idea: Anaxarchus said that he was not even sure that he knew nothing.
     From: report of Anaxarchus (fragments/reports [c.340 BCE]) by Diogenes Laertius - Lives of Eminent Philosophers 09.10.1
29. Religion / B. Monotheistic Religion / 4. Christianity / d. Heresy
The state should kill blasphemous heretics [Erasmus]
     Full Idea: It is necessary for the preservation of the state to kill heretics that are blasphemous and seditious.
     From: Desiderius Erasmus (works [1506]), quoted by Robert Pasnau - Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 20.2
     A reaction: He was much more tolerant of heretics who kept quiet.