Combining Texts

All the ideas for 'Aristotle and Descartes on Matter', 'fragments/reports' and 'Letters to Fichte'

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11 ideas

7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 4. Anti-realism

5953	For the Cyrenaics experience was not enough to give certainty about reality [Aristippus young, by Plutarch]
	Full Idea: The Cyrenaics, placing all experience within themselves, thought such evidence was insufficient warrant for certainty about reality, and withdrew as in a siege from the world, admitting that objects 'appear', but refusing to pronounce the word 'are'.
	From: report of Aristippus the younger (fragments/reports [c.335 BCE]) by Plutarch - 74: Reply to Colotes §1120
	A reaction: This seems to be the most extreme position found in ancient thought. It accompanies their extreme hedonism, based on the reality of experience and lack of interest in anything external. A bit daft, really.

20. Action / C. Motives for Action / 3. Acting on Reason / b. Intellectualism

3023	Even the foolish may have some virtues [Aristippus young, by Diog. Laertius]
	Full Idea: The Cyrenaics say that some of the virtues may exist even in the foolish.
	From: report of Aristippus the younger (fragments/reports [c.335 BCE]) by Diogenes Laertius - Lives of Eminent Philosophers 02.7.8

22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 1. Nature of Ethics / g. Moral responsibility

3026	Actions are influenced by circumstances, so Cyrenaics say felons should be reformed, not hated [Aristippus young, by Diog. Laertius]
	Full Idea: Cyrenaics say errors should be pardoned, because men do not err intentionally but are influenced by circumstances; one should not hate a person, but only teach him better.
	From: report of Aristippus the younger (fragments/reports [c.335 BCE]) by Diogenes Laertius - Lives of Eminent Philosophers 02.7.9
	A reaction: A very appealing suggestion, and rather wonderful for its time. There is still implied agreement about what is 'error', and what counts as 'better'.

22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / j. Ethics by convention

3024	Cyrenaics teach that honour, justice and shame are all based on custom and fashion [Aristippus young, by Diog. Laertius]
	Full Idea: The Cyrenaics taught that there was nothing naturally and intrinsically just, or honourable, or disgraceful; but that things were considered so because of law and fashion.
	From: report of Aristippus the younger (fragments/reports [c.335 BCE]) by Diogenes Laertius - Lives of Eminent Philosophers 02.7.8
	A reaction: As we would say now, values and virtues are 'cultural constructs'. This obviously contains a lot of truth, but I don't think our opposition of genocide is just 'fashion'.

23. Ethics / A. Egoism / 1. Ethical Egoism

3025	For a Cyrenaic no one is of equal importance to himself [Aristippus young, by Diog. Laertius]
	Full Idea: A Cyrenaic will not consider anyone else of equal importance with himself.
	From: report of Aristippus the younger (fragments/reports [c.335 BCE]) by Diogenes Laertius - Lives of Eminent Philosophers 02.7.9

23. Ethics / A. Egoism / 3. Cyrenaic School

3019	No one pleasure is different from or more pleasant than another [Aristippus young, by Diog. Laertius]
	Full Idea: No one pleasure is different from or more pleasant than another.
	From: report of Aristippus the younger (fragments/reports [c.335 BCE]) by Diogenes Laertius - Lives of Eminent Philosophers 02.7.8

3021	The Cyrenaics asserted that corporeal pleasures were superior to mental ones [Aristippus young, by Diog. Laertius]
	Full Idea: The Cyrenaics asserted that corporeal pleasures were superior to mental ones.
	From: report of Aristippus the younger (fragments/reports [c.335 BCE]) by Diogenes Laertius - Lives of Eminent Philosophers 02.7.8

23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 3. Virtues / g. Contemplation

7071	Life and rationality are pointless if we can only contemplate the freedom of our own ego [Jacobi]
	Full Idea: If the highest upon which I can reflect, what I can contemplate, is my empty and pure, naked and mere ego, with its autonomy and freedom: then rational self-contemplation, then rationality is for me a curse - I deplore my existence.
	From: Friedrich Jacobi (Letters to Fichte [1799], Ch.2), quoted by Simon Critchley - Continental Philosophy - V. Short Intro
	A reaction: This is a rebellion against Fichte's interpretation of Kant. It is a lovely cry from the heart on behalf of everyone who resents lines of philosophical thinking that seem to imprison the mind and cut us off from the ordinary world and real life.

23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 4. External Goods / d. Friendship

3027	Cyrenaics say wise men are self-sufficient, needing no friends [Aristippus young, by Diog. Laertius]
	Full Idea: Cyrenaics say wise men are sufficient to themselves, and so have no need of friends.
	From: report of Aristippus the younger (fragments/reports [c.335 BCE]) by Diogenes Laertius - Lives of Eminent Philosophers 02.7.13

23. Ethics / F. Existentialism / 2. Nihilism

7072	Jacobi was the first philosopher to talk of nihilism [Jacobi, by Critchley]
	Full Idea: Jacobi was the first to philosophically employ the concept of nihilism.
	From: report of Friedrich Jacobi (Letters to Fichte [1799]) by Simon Critchley - Continental Philosophy - V. Short Intro Ch.2
	A reaction: Critchley explains that it was Jacobi's fear that Fichte was drawing nihilist conclusions from Kant's philosophy. This fear may be seen as the beginning of what is loosely called 'continental philosophy'. A worthy subject for thinkers...

26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 6. Early Matter Theories / b. Prime matter

19399	Prime matter is nothing when it is at rest [Leibniz]
	Full Idea: Primary matter is nothing if considered at rest.
	From: Gottfried Leibniz (Aristotle and Descartes on Matter [1671], p.90)
	A reaction: This goes with Leibniz's Idea 13393, that activity is the hallmark of existence. No one seems to have been able to make good sense of prime matter, and it plays little role in Aristotle's writings.