|
12735
|
Everything has a fixed power, as required by God, and by the possibility of reasoning [Leibniz]
|
|
Full Idea:
It follows from the nature of God that there is a fixed power of a definite magnitude [non vagam] in anything whatsoever, otherwise there would be no reasonings about those things.
|
|
From:
Gottfried Leibniz (De aequopollentia causae et effectus [1679], A6.4.1964), quoted by Daniel Garber - Leibniz:Body,Substance,Monad 6
|
|
A reaction:
This is double-edged. On the one hand there is the grand claim that the principle derives from divine nature, but on the other it derives from our capacity to reason and explain. No one doubts that powers are 'fixed'.
|
|
5952
|
Rather than being the whole soul, maybe I am its chief part? [Plutarch]
|
|
Full Idea:
Is each of us not the soul, but the chief part of the soul, by which we think and reason and act, all the other parts of soul as well as of body being mere instruments of its power?
|
|
From:
Plutarch (74: Reply to Colotes [c.85], §1119)
|
|
A reaction:
Socrates is associated with the idea that I am my whole soul (Idea 1650). Plutarch represents an interesting development, which may lead both to the Christian 'soul' and to the Cartesian 'ego'. I think Plutarch is right, but what is the 'soul'?
|
|
5951
|
If atoms have no qualities, they cannot possibly produce a mind [Plutarch]
|
|
Full Idea:
Perception, mind, intelligence and thought cannot so much as be conceived, even with the best will, as arising among void and atoms, things which taken separately have no quality.
|
|
From:
Plutarch (74: Reply to Colotes [c.85], §1112)
|
|
A reaction:
A nice articulation of the intuition of all anti-physicalists. Plutarch would have to rethink his position carefully if he learned of the sheer number of connections in the brain, and of the theory of natural selection. His challenge remains, though.
|
|
5948
|
The good life involves social participation, loyalty, temperance and honesty [Plutarch]
|
|
Full Idea:
To live the good life is to live a life of participation in society, of loyalty to friends, of temperance and honest dealing.
|
|
From:
Plutarch (74: Reply to Colotes [c.85], §1108)
|
|
A reaction:
'Participation in society' is the interesting one. This might translate as 'doing your duty', or as 'leading a well-rounded life'. Solitude is wrong if you are indebted to others, and it is unhealthy if you are not. Is solitude really immoral, though?
|
|
7903
|
The six perfections are giving, morality, patience, vigour, meditation, and wisdom [Nagarjuna]
|
|
Full Idea:
The six perfections are of giving, morality, patience, vigour, meditation, and wisdom.
|
|
From:
Nagarjuna (Mahaprajnaparamitashastra [c.120], 88)
|
|
A reaction:
What is 'morality', if giving is not part of it? I like patience and vigour being two of the virtues, which immediately implies an Aristotelian mean (which is always what is 'appropriate').
|
|
5955
|
No one will ever find a city that lacks religious practices [Plutarch]
|
|
Full Idea:
A city without holy places and gods, without any observance of prayers, oaths, oracles, sacrifices for blessings received or rites to avert evils, no traveller has ever seen or will ever see.
|
|
From:
Plutarch (74: Reply to Colotes [c.85], §1125)
|
|
A reaction:
The nearest you might get would be Soviet Moscow, but in 1973 I saw a man there jeering at a woman who was kneeling in the street outside a closed church. Plutarch would be stunned at the decline in religious practices in modern Europe.
|