Combining Texts

All the ideas for 'Two Problems of Epistemology', 'Remembrance of Things Past' and 'Form, Matter and Substance'

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6 ideas

1. Philosophy / E. Nature of Metaphysics / 1. Nature of Metaphysics

24069	Much metaphysical debate concerns what is fundamental, rather than what exists [Koslicki]
	Full Idea: Some of the most important debates in metaphysics or ontology do not concern existential questions, but focus on questions of fundamentality.
	From: Kathrin Koslicki (Form, Matter and Substance [2018], 5 Intro)
	A reaction: In modern times we have added the structure of existence to the mere ontological catalogue, and this idea makes another important addition to our concept of metaphysics. She gives disagreement over tropes as an example.

9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 1. Unifying an Object / a. Intrinsic unification

24065	Structured wholes are united by the teamwork needed for their capacities [Koslicki]
	Full Idea: A structured whole derives its unity from the way in which its parts interact with other parts to allow both the whole and its parts to manifest those of their capacities which require 'team work' among the parts.
	From: Kathrin Koslicki (Form, Matter and Substance [2018], Intro)
	A reaction: This is a culminating thesis of her book. She defends it at length. It looks like a nice theory for things which are lucky enough to have capacities involving teamwork. Does this mean a pebble can't be unified? She wants a dynamic view.

9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 2. Hylomorphism / a. Hylomorphism

24066	The form explains kind, structure, unity and activity [Koslicki]
	Full Idea: Hylomorphists tend to agree that the form (rather than matter) explains 1) kind membership, 2) structure, 3) unity, 4) characteristic activities.
	From: Kathrin Koslicki (Form, Matter and Substance [2018], 3.2.1)
	A reaction: [compressed; she explains each of them] Personally I would add continuity through change (statue/clay). Glad to see that kind membership is not part of the form. And what about explaining observed properties? Does form=essence?

9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 3. Individual Essences

24067	Hylomorphic compounds need an individual form for transworld identity [Koslicki]
	Full Idea: It is difficult to see how forms could serve as cross-world identity principles for hylomorphic compounds, unless these forms are particular or individual entities.
	From: Kathrin Koslicki (Form, Matter and Substance [2018], 3.4.3)
	A reaction: This is a key part of her objection to treating the form as universal or generic. I agree with her view.

14. Science / A. Basis of Science / 6. Falsification

18284	Particulars can be verified or falsified, but general statements can only be falsified (conclusively) [Popper]
	Full Idea: Whereas particular reality statements are in principle completely verifiable or falsifiable, things are different for general reality statements: they can indeed be conclusively falsified, they can acquire a negative truth value, but not a positive one.
	From: Karl Popper (Two Problems of Epistemology [1932], p.256), quoted by J. Alberto Coffa - The Semantic Tradition from Kant to Carnap 18 'Laws'
	A reaction: This sounds like a logician's approach to science, but I prefer to look at coherence, where very little is actually conclusive, and one tinkers with the theory instead.

18. Thought / B. Mechanics of Thought / 3. Modularity of Mind

7845	When we need to do something, we depute an inner servant to remind us of it [Proust]
	Full Idea: Whenever we have something definite to do at a given moment, we depute a certain person inside us who is accustomed to that sort of duty to keep an eye on the clock and warn us of the time. This inner servant reminded me that Albertine was coming soon.
	From: Marcel Proust (Remembrance of Things Past [1922], Cities.2.1)
	A reaction: I think Proust is wrong that we 'depute' this servant. I think it comes as a built-in feature, and the servant could never be abandoned or sacked, no matter how poor the service. Each of us is a team, which includes servants.