Combining Texts

All the ideas for 'Queries to the 'Opticks'', '23: Book of Isaiah' and 'A World of Propensities'

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5 ideas

1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 2. Invocation to Philosophy

7493	Let us reason together, saith the Lord [Isaiah]
	Full Idea: Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord.
	From: Isaiah (23: Book of Isaiah [c.680 BCE], 01.18)
	A reaction: A verse which not only offers Biblical support for philosophy, but would also seem to be a challenge to Christian fideists.

8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 7. Against Powers

11946	Propensities are part of a situation, not part of the objects [Popper]
	Full Idea: Propensities should not be regarded as inherent in an object, such as a die or a penny, but should be regarded as inherent in a situation (of which, of course, the object was part).
	From: Karl Popper (A World of Propensities [1993], p.14), quoted by George Molnar - Powers 6.2
	A reaction: Molnar argues against this claim, and I agree with him. We can see why Popper might prefer this relational view, given that powers often only become apparent in unusual relational situations.

26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 1. Laws of Nature

16746	Principles of things are not hidden features of forms, but the laws by which they were formed [Newton]
	Full Idea: The (active) principles I consider not as occult qualities, supposed to result from the specific forms of things, but as general laws of nature, by which the things themselves are formed.
	From: Isaac Newton (Queries to the 'Opticks' [1721], q 31), quoted by Robert Pasnau - Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 23.6
	A reaction: This is the external, 'imposed' view of laws (with the matter passive) at its most persuasive. If laws arise out the stuff (as I prefer to think), what principles went into the formulation of the stuff?

27. Natural Reality / E. Cosmology / 1. Cosmology

7608	The world is established, and cannot be moved [Isaiah]
	Full Idea: The world is also established, that it cannot be moved.
	From: Isaiah (23: Book of Isaiah [c.680 BCE], 93.1)
	A reaction: This verse caused big trouble for Galileo. The only reason I can think of for Isaiah to write this is that occasionally people were prone to panic, and worry that the Earth might suddenly and abruptly be moved.

28. God / A. Divine Nature / 1. God

7343	Beside me there is no God [Isaiah]
	Full Idea: I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
	From: Isaiah (23: Book of Isaiah [c.680 BCE], 44.06)
	A reaction: This seems to be the first clear statement (c. 680 BCE) of monotheism, certainly preceding any Greek views on the subject (cf. Idea 2629,Idea 7347). It is not just an arrogant assertion by the jews, but a humble sacrifice, donating their god to humanity.