Combining Texts

All the ideas for 'Truth (frags)', 'The Realm of Matter' and 'The Structure of Content'

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2 ideas

7. Existence / A. Nature of Existence / 6. Criterion for Existence

18521	The criterion of existence is the possibility of action [Santayana]
	Full Idea: The possibility of action ...is the criterion of existence, and the test of substantiality.
	From: George Santayana (The Realm of Matter [1930], p.107), quoted by John Heil - The Universe as We Find It
	A reaction: I rather like this. I think I would say the power is the criterion of existence.

11. Knowledge Aims / A. Knowledge / 4. Belief / b. Elements of beliefs

6171	Beliefs are states of the head that explain behaviour, and also items with referential truth-conditions [McGinn]
	Full Idea: We view beliefs both as states of the head explanatory of behaviour, and as items possessed of referential truth-conditions.
	From: Colin McGinn (The Structure of Content [1982]), quoted by Mark Rowlands - Externalism Ch.6
	A reaction: McGinn wants to build a two-part account of meaning on this point, which Rowlands resists. Hume just wanted to define belief by a feeling, but it seems obvious that truth must also be involved.