15 ideas
21642 | If quantification is all substitutional, there is no ontology [Quine] |
1633 | Absolute ontological questions are meaningless, because the answers are circular definitions [Quine] |
18964 | Ontology is relative to both a background theory and a translation manual [Quine] |
18965 | We know what things are by distinguishing them, so identity is part of ontology [Quine] |
1634 | Two things are relative - the background theory, and translating the object theory into the background theory [Quine] |
3986 | The 'intentional stance' is a way of interpreting an entity by assuming it is rational and self-aware [Dennett] |
3987 | Like the 'centre of gravity', desires and beliefs are abstract concepts with no actual existence [Dennett] |
3984 | The nature of content is entirely based on its functional role [Dennett] |
8470 | Reference is inscrutable, because we cannot choose between theories of numbers [Quine, by Orenstein] |
18963 | Indeterminacy translating 'rabbit' depends on translating individuation terms [Quine] |
6000 | The goal is rationality in the selection of things according to nature [Diogenes of Babylon, by Blank] |
5999 | The good is what is perfect by nature [Diogenes of Babylon, by Blank] |
6001 | Justice is a disposition to distribute according to desert [Diogenes of Babylon, by Blank] |
3983 | Learning is evolution in the brain [Dennett] |
3985 | Biology is a type of engineering, not a search for laws of nature [Dennett] |