Combining Philosophers

All the ideas for H.Putnam/P.Oppenheim, Jean Buridan and Alan Turing

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10 ideas

2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 9. Limits of Reason

1403	A rational donkey would starve to death between two totally identical piles of hay [Buridan, by PG]

9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 4. Quantity of an Object

16678

Without magnitude a thing would retain its parts, but they would have no location [Buridan]

9. Objects / E. Objects over Time / 8. Continuity of Rivers

16793

A thing is (less properly) the same over time if each part is succeeded by another [Buridan]

12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 2. Qualities in Perception / b. Primary/secondary

16726

Why can't we deduce secondary qualities from primary ones, if they cause them? [Buridan]

14. Science / A. Basis of Science / 2. Demonstration

16577

Induction is not demonstration, because not all of the instances can be observed [Buridan]

14. Science / C. Induction / 2. Aims of Induction

16576

Science is based on induction, for general truths about fire, rhubarb and magnets [Buridan]

14. Science / D. Explanation / 2. Types of Explanation / j. Explanations by reduction

20653

Six reduction levels: groups, lives, cells, molecules, atoms, particles [Putnam/Oppenheim, by Watson]

18. Thought / B. Mechanics of Thought / 6. Artificial Thought / b. Turing Machines

3193	Turing showed that logical rules can be specified computationally and mechanically [Turing, by Rey]

3979	The Turing Machine is the best idea yet about how the mind works [Fodor on Turing]

18. Thought / B. Mechanics of Thought / 6. Artificial Thought / c. Turing Test

5321	In 50 years computers will successfully imitate humans with a 70% success rate [Turing]