Combining Texts

All the ideas for 'Mahaprajnaparamitashastra', 'Introduction to the Theory of Logic' and 'Sketch for a Theory of the Emotions'

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25 ideas

4. Formal Logic / F. Set Theory ST / 1. Set Theory
Sets can be defined by 'enumeration', or by 'abstraction' (based on a property) [Zalabardo]
     Full Idea: We can define a set by 'enumeration' (by listing the items, within curly brackets), or by 'abstraction' (by specifying the elements as instances of a property), pretending that they form a determinate totality. The latter is written {x | x is P}.
     From: José L. Zalabardo (Introduction to the Theory of Logic [2000], §1.3)
4. Formal Logic / F. Set Theory ST / 2. Mechanics of Set Theory / b. Terminology of ST
The 'Cartesian Product' of two sets relates them by pairing every element with every element [Zalabardo]
     Full Idea: The 'Cartesian Product' of two sets, written A x B, is the relation which pairs every element of A with every element of B. So A x B = { | x ∈ A and y ∈ B}.
     From: José L. Zalabardo (Introduction to the Theory of Logic [2000], §1.6)
A 'partial ordering' is reflexive, antisymmetric and transitive [Zalabardo]
     Full Idea: A binary relation in a set is a 'partial ordering' just in case it is reflexive, antisymmetric and transitive.
     From: José L. Zalabardo (Introduction to the Theory of Logic [2000], §1.6)
4. Formal Logic / F. Set Theory ST / 4. Axioms for Sets / a. Axioms for sets
Determinacy: an object is either in a set, or it isn't [Zalabardo]
     Full Idea: Principle of Determinacy: For every object a and every set S, either a is an element of S or a is not an element of S.
     From: José L. Zalabardo (Introduction to the Theory of Logic [2000], §1.2)
4. Formal Logic / F. Set Theory ST / 4. Axioms for Sets / l. Axiom of Specification
Specification: Determinate totals of objects always make a set [Zalabardo]
     Full Idea: Principle of Specification: Whenever we can specify a determinate totality of objects, we shall say that there is a set whose elements are precisely the objects that we have specified.
     From: José L. Zalabardo (Introduction to the Theory of Logic [2000], §1.3)
     A reaction: Compare the Axiom of Specification. Zalabardo says we may wish to consider sets of which we cannot specify the members.
5. Theory of Logic / A. Overview of Logic / 5. First-Order Logic
A first-order 'sentence' is a formula with no free variables [Zalabardo]
     Full Idea: A formula of a first-order language is a 'sentence' just in case it has no free variables.
     From: José L. Zalabardo (Introduction to the Theory of Logic [2000], §3.2)
5. Theory of Logic / B. Logical Consequence / 4. Semantic Consequence |=
Γ |= φ for sentences if φ is true when all of Γ is true [Zalabardo]
     Full Idea: A propositional logic sentence is a 'logical consequence' of a set of sentences (written Γ |= φ) if for every admissible truth-assignment all the sentences in the set Γ are true, then φ is true.
     From: José L. Zalabardo (Introduction to the Theory of Logic [2000], §2.4)
     A reaction: The definition is similar for predicate logic.
Γ |= φ if φ is true when all of Γ is true, for all structures and interpretations [Zalabardo]
     Full Idea: A formula is the 'logical consequence' of a set of formulas (Γ |= φ) if for every structure in the language and every variable interpretation of the structure, if all the formulas within the set are true and the formula itself is true.
     From: José L. Zalabardo (Introduction to the Theory of Logic [2000], §3.5)
5. Theory of Logic / E. Structures of Logic / 2. Logical Connectives / b. Basic connectives
Propositional logic just needs ¬, and one of ∧, ∨ and → [Zalabardo]
     Full Idea: In propositional logic, any set containing ¬ and at least one of ∧, ∨ and → is expressively complete.
     From: José L. Zalabardo (Introduction to the Theory of Logic [2000], §2.8)
5. Theory of Logic / I. Semantics of Logic / 1. Semantics of Logic
The semantics shows how truth values depend on instantiations of properties and relations [Zalabardo]
     Full Idea: The semantic pattern of a first-order language is the ways in which truth values depend on which individuals instantiate the properties and relations which figure in them. ..So we pair a truth value with each combination of individuals, sets etc.
     From: José L. Zalabardo (Introduction to the Theory of Logic [2000], §3.3)
     A reaction: So truth reduces to a combination of 'instantiations', which is rather like 'satisfaction'.
We can do semantics by looking at given propositions, or by building new ones [Zalabardo]
     Full Idea: We can look at semantics from the point of view of how truth values are determined by instantiations of properties and relations, or by asking how we can build, using the resources of the language, a proposition corresponding to a given semantic pattern.
     From: José L. Zalabardo (Introduction to the Theory of Logic [2000], §3.6)
     A reaction: The second version of semantics is model theory.
5. Theory of Logic / I. Semantics of Logic / 2. Formal Truth
We make a truth assignment to T and F, which may be true and false, but merely differ from one another [Zalabardo]
     Full Idea: A truth assignment is a function from propositions to the set {T,F}. We will think of T and F as the truth values true and false, but for our purposes all we need to assume about the identity of these objects is that they are different from each other.
     From: José L. Zalabardo (Introduction to the Theory of Logic [2000], §2.4)
     A reaction: Note that T and F are 'objects'. This remark is important in understanding modern logical semantics. T and F can be equated to 1 and 0 in the language of a computer. They just mean as much as you want them to mean.
5. Theory of Logic / I. Semantics of Logic / 3. Logical Truth
'Logically true' (|= φ) is true for every truth-assignment [Zalabardo]
     Full Idea: A propositional logic sentence is 'logically true', written |= φ, if it is true for every admissible truth-assignment.
     From: José L. Zalabardo (Introduction to the Theory of Logic [2000], §2.4)
Logically true sentences are true in all structures [Zalabardo]
     Full Idea: In first-order languages, logically true sentences are true in all structures.
     From: José L. Zalabardo (Introduction to the Theory of Logic [2000], §3.5)
5. Theory of Logic / I. Semantics of Logic / 4. Satisfaction
A sentence-set is 'satisfiable' if at least one truth-assignment makes them all true [Zalabardo]
     Full Idea: A propositional logic set of sentences Γ is 'satisfiable' if there is at least one admissible truth-assignment that makes all of its sentences true.
     From: José L. Zalabardo (Introduction to the Theory of Logic [2000], §2.4)
Some formulas are 'satisfiable' if there is a structure and interpretation that makes them true [Zalabardo]
     Full Idea: A set of formulas of a first-order language is 'satisfiable' if there is a structure and a variable interpretation in that structure such that all the formulas of the set are true.
     From: José L. Zalabardo (Introduction to the Theory of Logic [2000], §3.5)
5. Theory of Logic / J. Model Theory in Logic / 1. Logical Models
A structure models a sentence if it is true in the model, and a set of sentences if they are all true in the model [Zalabardo]
     Full Idea: A structure is a model of a sentence if the sentence is true in the model; a structure is a model of a set of sentences if they are all true in the structure.
     From: José L. Zalabardo (Introduction to the Theory of Logic [2000], §3.6)
6. Mathematics / B. Foundations for Mathematics / 4. Axioms for Number / f. Mathematical induction
If a set is defined by induction, then proof by induction can be applied to it [Zalabardo]
     Full Idea: Defining a set by induction enables us to use the method of proof by induction to establish that all the elements of the set have a certain property.
     From: José L. Zalabardo (Introduction to the Theory of Logic [2000], §2.3)
15. Nature of Minds / B. Features of Minds / 1. Consciousness / b. Essence of consciousness
Consciousness always transcends itself [Sartre]
     Full Idea: It is of the essence of consciousness to transcend itself
     From: Jean-Paul Sartre (Sketch for a Theory of the Emotions [1939], §III)
     A reaction: As usual, I am a bit baffled by these sorts of pronouncement. Sounds like an oxymoron to me. Maybe it is a development of Schopenhauer's thought.
18. Thought / A. Modes of Thought / 3. Emotions / a. Nature of emotions
An emotion and its object form a unity, so emotion is a mode of apprehension [Sartre]
     Full Idea: Emotion returns to its object every moment, and feeds upon it. …The emotional subject and the object of the emotion are united in an indissoluble synthesis. Emotion is a specific manner of apprehending the world. …[39] It is a transformation of the world.
     From: Jean-Paul Sartre (Sketch for a Theory of the Emotions [1939], §III)
     A reaction: The last sentence is the essence (or existence?) of Sartre's core theory of the emotions. They are, it seems, a mode of perception, like a colour filter added to a camera. I don't think I agree. I see them as a response to perceptions, not part of them.
Emotion is one of our modes of understanding our Being-in-the-World [Sartre]
     Full Idea: Emotion is not an accident, it is a mode of our conscious existence, one of the ways in which consciousness understands (in Heidegger's sense of verstehen) its Being-in-the-World. …It has a meaning.
     From: Jean-Paul Sartre (Sketch for a Theory of the Emotions [1939], §III)
     A reaction: Calling emotions a 'mode' suggests that this way of understanding is intermittent, which seems wrong. Even performing arithmetical calculations is coloured by emotions, so they go deeper than a 'mode'.
18. Thought / A. Modes of Thought / 3. Emotions / c. Role of emotions
Emotions are a sort of bodily incantation which brings a magic to the world [Sartre]
     Full Idea: Joy is the magical behaviour which tries, by incantation, to realise the possession of the desired object as an instantaneous totality. [47] Emotions are all reducible to the constitution of a magic world by using our bodies as instruments of incantation.
     From: Jean-Paul Sartre (Sketch for a Theory of the Emotions [1939], §III)
     A reaction: I can't pretend to understand this, but I am reminded of the fact that the so-called primary qualities of perception are innately boring, and it is only the secondary qualities (like colour and smell) which make the world interesting.
Emotions makes us believe in and live in a new world [Sartre]
     Full Idea: Emotion is a phenomenon of belief. Consciousness does not limit itself to the projection of affective meanings upon the world around it; it lives the new world it has thereby constituted.
     From: Jean-Paul Sartre (Sketch for a Theory of the Emotions [1939], §III)
     A reaction: There seems to be an implied anti-realism in this, since the emotions prevent us from relating more objectively to the world. The 'magic' seems to be compulsory.
23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 3. Virtues / a. Virtues
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').
24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 1. Purpose of a State
States have a monopoly of legitimate violence [Sartre, by Wolff,J]
     Full Idea: Max Weber observed that states possess a monopoly of legitimate violence.
     From: report of Jean-Paul Sartre (Sketch for a Theory of the Emotions [1939]) by Jonathan Wolff - An Introduction to Political Philosophy (Rev) 2 'State'
     A reaction: This sounds rather hair-raising, and often is, but it sounds quite good if we describe it as a denial of legitimate violence to individual citizens. Hobbes would like it, since individual violence breaches some sort of natural contract. Guns in USA.