3 ideas
14963 | Surely the past phases of a thing are not parts of the thing? [Broad] |
Full Idea: It is plainly contrary to common sense to say that the phases in the history of a thing are parts of the thing. | |
From: C.D. Broad (Examination of McTaggart's Philosophy [1933], I.349-50), quoted by Richard Cartwright - Scattered Objects n18 | |
A reaction: Nicely expressed! To suggest that me ten years ago is a mere part of some huge me, or that you are only talking to a part of me now, is a very long way indeed from normal usage. |
19216 | Propositions (such as 'that dog is barking') only exist if their items exist [Williamson] |
Full Idea: A proposition about an item exists only if that item exists... how could something be the proposition that that dog is barking in circumstances in which that dog does not exist? | |
From: Timothy Williamson (Necessary Existents [2002], p.240), quoted by Trenton Merricks - Propositions | |
A reaction: This is a view of propositions I can't make sense of. If I'm under an illusion that there is a dog barking nearby, when there isn't one, can I not say 'that dog is barking'? If I haven't expressed a proposition, what have I done? |
23873 | Dividing history books into separate chapters is disastrous [Weil] |
Full Idea: The division of history textbooks into chapters will cost us many disastrous mistakes. | |
From: Simone Weil (Fragments [1936], p.131) | |
A reaction: Nice observation. The point is that we fail to grasp what really happened if we draw sharp lines across history. |