Combining Texts

All the ideas for 'Set Theory and related topics (2nd ed)', 'Utopia' and 'Letters to Regius'

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8 ideas

4. Formal Logic / F. Set Theory ST / 3. Types of Set / e. Equivalence classes

8920	Equivalence relations are reflexive, symmetric and transitive, and classify similar objects [Lipschutz]
	Full Idea: A relation R on a non-empty set S is an equivalence relation if it is reflexive (for each member a, aRa), symmetric (if aRb, then bRa), and transitive (aRb and bRc, so aRc). It tries to classify objects that are in some way 'alike'.
	From: Seymour Lipschutz (Set Theory and related topics (2nd ed) [1998], 3.9)
	A reaction: So this is an attempt to formalise the common sense notion of seeing that two things have something in common. Presumably a 'way' of being alike is going to be a property or a part

9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 15. Against Essentialism

12251	Substantial forms are not understood, and explain nothing [Descartes]
	Full Idea: Clearly no explanation can be given by these substantial forms for any natural action, since their defenders admit that they are occult and that they do not understand them themselves, ...so they explain nothing.
	From: René Descartes (Letters to Regius [1642], 1642.01), quoted by David S. Oderberg - Real Essentialism 267 n5
	A reaction: [Oderberg gives refs for attack by Locke and Hume, p.66] Descartes' target is Aristotle's hylomorphism. The problem seems to be understanding what Aristotle meant, which is much more than mere 'shape'. More like 'controlling principle'.

24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 3. Conservatism

7257	All modern social systems seem to be conspiracies of the rich [More,T]
	Full Idea: When I consider any social system that prevails in the modern world, I can't see it as anything but a conspiracy of the rich to advance their own interests under the pretext of organizing society.
	From: Thomas More (Utopia [1516], Bk 2)
	A reaction: I'm afraid this is my own view of most conservative politics. I don't deny that there is a good case to be made for the conservative view (by Burke and Scruton, for example), but the rich will always latch onto its coat-tails. Cf. Idea 122.

24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / d. Representative democracy

7254	If you try to get elected, you should be permanently barred from seeking office [More,T]
	Full Idea: In Utopia, anyone who deliberately tries to get himself elected to a public office is permanently disqualified from holding one.
	From: Thomas More (Utopia [1516], Bk 2)
	A reaction: This echoes a thought found in Plato (Idea 2149). I've always liked this idea. Why can't we have elections were a group of the best people are invited to stand? Well, yes, it would lead to corruption... Still, the best should be pushed to the front.

25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 1. War / a. Just wars

7255	Only Utopians fail to see glory in warfare [More,T]
	Full Idea: Utopians are practically the only people on earth who fail to see anything glorious in war.
	From: Thomas More (Utopia [1516], Bk 2)
	A reaction: A refreshing thought for such an early date. Whatever dubious behaviour is nowadays attributed to Thomas More, you have to admire someone who writes this during the reign of Henry VIII.

25. Social Practice / F. Life Issues / 2. Euthanasia

7253	In Utopia, legal euthanasia is considered honourable [More,T]
	Full Idea: In Utopia, officially sanctioned euthanasia is regarded as an honourable death.
	From: Thomas More (Utopia [1516], Bk 2)
	A reaction: A bit surprising coming from a writer who is now a Catholic martyr and saint.

28. God / C. Attitudes to God / 2. Pantheism

7256	In Utopia, the Supreme Being is identical with Nature [More,T]
	Full Idea: Everyone in Utopia agrees that the Supreme Being (which they call Mythras) is identical with Nature.
	From: Thomas More (Utopia [1516], Bk 2)
	A reaction: This sounds remarkably like full-blown Spinozean pantheism, though it should be interpreted with caution. It certainly seems to show that pantheism was a possibility in the minds of late medieval religious thinkers.

29. Religion / B. Monotheistic Religion / 4. Christianity / c. Angels

16772	An angelic mind would not experience pain, even when connected to a human body [Descartes, by Pasnau]
	Full Idea: Descartes points out that an angelic mind, even if causally connected to a human body, would not experience the same sort of bodily sensations; it would, instead, simply observe flesh being torn, like a piece of paper.
	From: report of René Descartes (Letters to Regius [1642], III:493) by Robert Pasnau - Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 25.6
	A reaction: Does that mean that the angel could not have the experience even if it wanted to have it. So they can't pick up a cup either? So they can't make themselves known to us, even if they are desperate to? So the Annunciation never happened?