Combining Texts

All the ideas for 'Symposium', 'Positions' and 'comedies (frags)'

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10 ideas

1. Philosophy / H. Continental Philosophy / 6. Deconstruction
8216 Deconstruction is not neutral; it intervenes [Derrida]
     Full Idea: Deconstruction, I have insisted, is not neutral. It intervenes.
     From: Jacques Derrida (Positions [1971], p.76)
     A reaction: This, I think, is because there is in Derrida, as in most French philosophers, a strong streak of Marxism, and a desire to change the world, rather than merely understanding it. Idea 8213 shows the sort of thing he wants to change.
2. Reason / C. Styles of Reason / 1. Dialectic
8213 I try to analyse certain verbal concepts which block and confuse the dialectical process [Derrida]
     Full Idea: I have tried to analyse certain marks in writing which are undecidables, false verbal properties, which inhabit philosophical opposition, resisting and disorganising it, without ever constituting a third term, withour ever leaving room for a solution.
     From: Jacques Derrida (Positions [1971], p.40)
     A reaction: [I have simplified his sentence!] Much of Derrida seems to be a commentary on the Hegelian dialectic, and the project is presumably to figure out why philosophy is not advancing in the way we would like. Interesting...
9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 6. Constitution of an Object
16066 Additional or removal of any part changes a thing, so people are never the same person [Epicharmus]
     Full Idea: If you add or take away a pebble, the same number does not remain. If you add to a length or cut off from it, the former measure does not remain. So human beings grow or waste away. Both you and I were, and shall be, other men.
     From: Epicharmus (comedies (frags) [c.470 BCE], B02), quoted by Diogenes Laertius - Lives of Eminent Philosophers 03.12
     A reaction: [The original is in dialogue form from a play. The context is a joke about not paying a debt.] Note the early date for this metaphysical puzzle. My new favourite reply is Chrysippus's Idea 16059; identity actually requires change.
13. Knowledge Criteria / E. Relativism / 1. Relativism
436 A dog seems handsome to another a dog, and even a pig to another pig [Epicharmus]
     Full Idea: Dog seems very handsome to dog, and ox to ox, and donkey very handsome to donkey, and even pig to pig.
     From: Epicharmus (comedies (frags) [c.470 BCE], B05), quoted by (who?) - where?
22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / h. Fine deeds
5845 Niceratus learnt the whole of Homer by heart, as a guide to goodness [Xenophon]
     Full Idea: Niceratus said that his father, because he was concerned to make him a good man, made him learn the whole works of Homer, and he could still repeat by heart the entire 'Iliad' and 'Odyssey'.
     From: Xenophon (Symposium [c.391 BCE], 3.5)
     A reaction: This clearly shows the status which Homer had in the teaching of morality in the time of Socrates, and it is precisely this acceptance of authority which he was challenging, in his attempts to analyse the true basis of virtue
22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 3. Pleasure / f. Dangers of pleasure
442 Pleasures are like pirates - if you are caught they drown you in a sea of pleasures [Epicharmus]
     Full Idea: Pleasures for mortals are like impious pirates, for the man who is caught by pleasures is immediately drowned in a sea of them.
     From: Epicharmus (comedies (frags) [c.470 BCE], B44), quoted by (who?) - where?
     A reaction: Not all slopes are slippery. Plenty of people hold themselves to strict rules about alcohol or gambling. People have occasional treats.
23. Ethics / B. Contract Ethics / 1. Contractarianism
440 Hands wash hands; give that you may get [Epicharmus]
     Full Idea: The hand washes the hand; give something and you may get something.
     From: Epicharmus (comedies (frags) [c.470 BCE], B30), quoted by (who?) - where?
23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 3. Virtues / c. Justice
441 Against a villain, villainy is not a useless weapon [Epicharmus]
     Full Idea: Against a villain, villainy is not a useless weapon.
     From: Epicharmus (comedies (frags) [c.470 BCE], B32), quoted by (who?) - where?
28. God / A. Divine Nature / 3. Divine Perfections
439 God knows everything, and nothing is impossible for him [Epicharmus]
     Full Idea: Nothing escapes the divine, this you must realise. God himself is our overseer, and nothing is impossible for him.
     From: Epicharmus (comedies (frags) [c.470 BCE], B23), quoted by (who?) - where?
29. Religion / D. Religious Issues / 3. Problem of Evil / c. Human Error
443 Human logos is an aspect of divine logos, and is sufficient for successful living [Epicharmus]
     Full Idea: Man has calculation, but there is also the divine logos. But human logos is sprung from the divine logos, and it brings to each man his means of life, and his maintenance.
     From: Epicharmus (comedies (frags) [c.470 BCE], B57), quoted by (who?) - where?