6668
|
If the present does not exist, then consciousness must be memory of the immediate past [Marshall]
|
|
Full Idea:
Given the paradoxical nature of the 'present' moment, maybe we should understand ALL consciousness as memory, with the split second of the 'specious present' being very vivid and very brief memory, with the rest of the mind remembering in lower degrees.
|
|
From:
David Marshall (talk [2004]), quoted by PG - Db (ideas)
|
|
A reaction:
This strikes me as a highly plausible, and very illuminating remark. For the time paradox, see Ideas 1904 and 5102. Anyone researching consciousness in the brain should think about this, because it will just be a special sort of memory neurons.
|
15998
|
Perfect love is not in spite of imperfections; the imperfections must be loved as well [Kierkegaard]
|
|
Full Idea:
To love another in spite of his weaknesses and errors and imperfections is not perfect love. No, to love is to find him lovable in spite of, and together with, his weaknesses and errors and imperfections.
|
|
From:
Søren Kierkegaard (Works of Love [1847], p.158)
|
|
A reaction:
A true romantic at heart, Kierkegaard ideally posits perfect love as unconditional love, and not just of good attributes, predicates and conditions. However, the real question for both me and Kierkegaard is, is perfect love desirable or even possible?[SY]
|
21091
|
It would be absurd if even a free constitution did not impose restraints, for the public good [Hume]
|
|
Full Idea:
A republican and free form of government would be an obvious absurdity, if the particular checks and controls, provided by the constitution, had really no influence, and made it not the interest, even of bad men, to act for the public good.
|
|
From:
David Hume (That Politics may be reduced to a Science [1750], p.14)
|
|
A reaction:
Presumably if you attain absolute power you can write any old constitution you like (Clause 1: the presidency is for life). But there does seem much point in doing it - unless it is to facilitate the use of the law for persecutions.
|
21092
|
Nobility either share in the power of the whole, or they compose the power of the whole [Hume]
|
|
Full Idea:
A nobility may possess power in two different ways. Either every nobleman shares the power as part of the whole body, or the whole body enjoys the power as composed of parts, which each have a distinct power and authority.
|
|
From:
David Hume (That Politics may be reduced to a Science [1750], p.15)
|
|
A reaction:
He says the first type is found in Venice, and is preferable to the second type, which is found in Poland. Presumably in the shared version there is some restraint on depraved nobles. The danger is each noble being an autocrat.
|