Combining Texts

All the ideas for 'Universals and Particulars', 'Abduction and Induction' and 'Why there isn't a ready-made world'

expand these ideas     |    start again     |     specify just one area for these texts

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8 ideas

7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 2. Realism

17644

Metaphysical realism is committed to there being one ultimate true theory [Putnam]

7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 4. Anti-realism

17648

It is an illusion to think there could be one good scientific theory of reality [Putnam]

8. Modes of Existence / D. Universals / 6. Platonic Forms / c. Self-predication

4442	Most thinkers now reject self-predication (whiteness is NOT white) so there is no Third Man problem [Armstrong]

9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 3. Unity Problems / c. Statue and clay

17643

Shape is essential relative to 'statue', but not essential relative to 'clay' [Putnam]

12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 4. Sense Data / b. Nature of sense-data

17642

The old view that sense data are independent of mind is quite dotty [Putnam]

14. Science / D. Explanation / 3. Best Explanation / a. Best explanation

14790

'Abduction' is beginning a hypothesis, particularly if it includes preference of one explanation over others [Peirce]

14791

Abduction involves original suggestions, and not just the testing involved in induction [Peirce]

26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 8. Particular Causation / d. Selecting the cause

17645

An alien might think oxygen was the main cause of a forest fire [Putnam]