22110
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Demonstration provides depth of understanding and explanation (rather than foundations) [Kretzmann/Stump]
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Full Idea:
According to Aquinas, what demonstration provides is not so much knowledge as conceived by foundationalists as depth of understanding and explanatory insight.
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From:
Kretzmann/Stump (Aquinas, Thomas [2005]), quoted by Kretzmann/Stump - Aquinas, Thomas 11
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A reaction:
It was noticeable that Aristotle didn't make clear what demonstration aims to achieve, and he didn't employ it elsewhere in his writings. We aim for understanding, not for well grounded propositions. Understanding needs implications and mechanisms.
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21314
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Consciousness presupposes personal identity, so it cannot constitute it [Butler]
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Full Idea:
One would think it really self-evident that consciousness of personal identity presupposes, and therefore cannot constitute, personal identity, any more than knowledge can presuppose truth, which it presupposes.
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From:
Joseph Butler (Analogy of Religion [1736], App.1)
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A reaction:
It rather begs the question to dogmatically assert that mere consciousness presupposes a self, especially after Hume's criticisms. That consciousness implies a subject to experience needs arguing for. Is it the best explanation?
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21318
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If the self changes, we have no responsibilities, and no interest in past or future [Butler]
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Full Idea:
If personality is a transient thing ...then it follows that it is a fallacy to charge ourselves with any thing we did, or to imagine our present selves interested in any thing which befell us yesterday, or what will befall us tomorrow.
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From:
Joseph Butler (Analogy of Religion [1736], App.1)
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A reaction:
We seem to care about the past and future of our children, without actually being our children. Can't my future self be my descendant, a close one, instead of me?
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7903
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The six perfections are giving, morality, patience, vigour, meditation, and wisdom [Nagarjuna]
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Full Idea:
The six perfections are of giving, morality, patience, vigour, meditation, and wisdom.
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From:
Nagarjuna (Mahaprajnaparamitashastra [c.120], 88)
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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').
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