Combining Texts

All the ideas for 'fragments/reports', 'On Probability and Induction' and 'Letters to the Lord Marquis of Newcastle'

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4 ideas

2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 5. Objectivity
Contextual values are acceptable in research, but not in its final evaluation [Reichenbach, by Reiss/Sprenger]
     Full Idea: Reichenbach's claim is interpreted as saying that contextual values, which may have contributed to the discovery of a theory, are irrelevant for justifying the acceptance of a theory, and for assessing how evidence bears on theory.
     From: report of Hans Reichenbach (On Probability and Induction [1938], pp.36-7) by Reiss,J/Spreger,J - Scientific Objectivity 3.2
     A reaction: This influential idea is very helpful. It allows Galileo and co to pursus all sorts of highly personal and quirky lines of enquiry, because we only demand full objectivity when it is all over. Very good!
13. Knowledge Criteria / E. Relativism / 2. Knowledge as Convention
By nature people are close to one another, but culture drives them apart [Hippias]
     Full Idea: I regard you all as relatives - by nature, not by convention. By nature like is akin to like, but convention is a tyrant over humankind and often constrains people to act contrary to nature.
     From: Hippias (fragments/reports [c.430 BCE]), quoted by Plato - Protagoras 337c8
16. Persons / F. Free Will / 5. Against Free Will
If a man suddenly develops an intention of doing something, the cause is out of his control, not in his will [Hobbes]
     Full Idea: When first a man hath an appetite or will to something, to which immediately before he had no appetite or will, the cause of his will is not the will itself, but something else not in his own disposing.
     From: Thomas Hobbes (Letters to the Lord Marquis of Newcastle [1652])
Those actions that follow immediately the last appetite are voluntary [Hobbes]
     Full Idea: Those actions that follow immediately the last appetite are voluntary.
     From: Thomas Hobbes (Letters to the Lord Marquis of Newcastle [1652])