Combining Texts

All the ideas for 'Mahaprajnaparamitashastra', 'The Poverty of Philosophy' and 'Set Theory and the Continuum Hypothesis'

unexpand these ideas     |    start again     |     specify just one area for these texts


3 ideas

6. Mathematics / C. Sources of Mathematics / 10. Constructivism / a. Constructivism
We could accept the integers as primitive, then use sets to construct the rest [Cohen]
     Full Idea: A very reasonable position would be to accept the integers as primitive entities and then use sets to form higher entities.
     From: Paul J. Cohen (Set Theory and the Continuum Hypothesis [1966], 5.4), quoted by Oliver,A/Smiley,T - What are Sets and What are they For?
     A reaction: I find this very appealing, and the authority of this major mathematician adds support. I would say, though, that the integers are not 'primitive', but pick out (in abstraction) consistent features of the natural world.
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 / D. Ideologies / 11. Capitalism
The handmill gives feudalism, the steam mill capitalism [Marx]
     Full Idea: The handmill gives you society with the feudal lord; the steam mill society with the industrial capitalist.
     From: Karl Marx (The Poverty of Philosophy [1847], p.202), quoted by Peter Singer - Marx 7
     A reaction: If technology dictates social structure, then feudalism is still with us, in low-tech industries. What if the steam mill had been invented in 1300?