Combining Texts

All the ideas for 'works', 'Rechnungsmethoden (dissertation)' and 'Power/Knowledge'

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5 ideas

6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 3. Nature of Numbers / c. Priority of numbers

18256	Quantity is inconceivable without the idea of addition [Frege]
	Full Idea: There is so intimate a connection between the concepts of addition and of quantity that one cannot begin to grasp the latter without the former.
	From: Gottlob Frege (Rechnungsmethoden (dissertation) [1874], p.2), quoted by Michael Dummett - Frege philosophy of mathematics 22 'Quantit'
	A reaction: Frege offers good reasons for making cardinals prior to ordinals, though plenty of people disagree.

6. Mathematics / C. Sources of Mathematics / 2. Intuition of Mathematics

9831	Geometry appeals to intuition as the source of its axioms [Frege]
	Full Idea: The elements of all geometrical constructions are intuitions, and geometry appeals to intuition as the source of its axioms.
	From: Gottlob Frege (Rechnungsmethoden (dissertation) [1874], Ch.6), quoted by Michael Dummett - Frege philosophy of mathematics
	A reaction: Very early Frege, but he stuck to this view, while firmly rejecting intuition as a source of arithmetic. Frege would have known well that Euclid's assumption about parallels had been challenged.

24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 1. Social Power

8991	Foucault can't accept that power is sometimes decent and benign [Foucault, by Scruton]
	Full Idea: It became impossible for Foucault to accept that power is sometimes decent and benign.
	From: report of Michel Foucault (Power/Knowledge [1980]) by Roger Scruton - Upon Nothing: Swansea lecture p.12
	A reaction: Actually Idea 7425 suggests that Foucault has no dream of eliminating power, but he does seem to be utterly in favour of maximum autonomy, and to regard paternalism as inherently evil. What sort of parent would Foucault have been?

29. Religion / B. Monotheistic Religion / 4. Christianity / d. Heresy

16713	Philosophers are the forefathers of heretics [Tertullian]
	Full Idea: Philosophers are the forefathers of heretics.
	From: Tertullian (works [c.200]), quoted by Robert Pasnau - Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 20.2

29. Religion / D. Religious Issues / 1. Religious Commitment / e. Fideism

6610	I believe because it is absurd [Tertullian]
	Full Idea: I believe because it is absurd ('Credo quia absurdum est').
	From: Tertullian (works [c.200]), quoted by Robert Fogelin - Walking the Tightrope of Reason n4.2
	A reaction: This seems to be a rather desperate remark, in response to what must have been rather good hostile arguments. No one would abandon the support of reason if it was easy to acquire. You can't deny its engaging romantic defiance, though.