31 ideas
7823 | Lucretius was rediscovered in 1417 [Grayling] |
1765 | Diogenes said avoidance of philosophy is the lack of a desire to live properly [Diogenes of Sin., by Diog. Laertius] |
6408 | Russell needed three extra axioms to reduce maths to logic: infinity, choice and reducibility [Grayling] |
6414 | Two propositions might seem self-evident, but contradict one another [Grayling] |
1762 | When someone denied motion, Diogenes got up and walked away [Diogenes of Sin., by Diog. Laertius] |
13165 | Geometrical proofs do not show causes, as when we prove a triangle contains two right angles [Proclus] |
7091 | The argument from analogy is not a strong inference, since the other being might be an actor or a robot [Grayling] |
9569 | The origin of geometry started in sensation, then moved to calculation, and then to reason [Proclus] |
7813 | Cynicism was open to anyone, and needed neither education nor sophistication [Diogenes of Sin., by Grayling] |
7293 | It is legitimate to do harm if it is the unintended side-effect of an effort to achieve a good [Grayling] |
1763 | Diogenes said a plucked chicken fits Plato's definition of man [Diogenes of Sin., by Diog. Laertius] |
5071 | The Cynics rejected what is conventional as irrational, and aimed to live by nature [Taylor,R on Diogenes of Sin.] |
7812 | For peace of mind, you need self-government, indifference and independence [Diogenes of Sin.] |
7809 | In an honour code shame is the supreme punishment, and revenge is a duty [Grayling] |
23262 | Experience, sympathy and history are sensible grounds for laying claim to rights [Grayling] |
1764 | Diogenes said he was a citizen of the world [Diogenes of Sin., by Diog. Laertius] |
23263 | Politics is driven by power cliques [Grayling] |
5968 | Diogenes masturbated in public, wishing he could get rid of hunger so easily [Diogenes of Sin., by Plutarch] |
23254 | Democracies should require a supermajority for major questions [Grayling] |
23255 | It is essential for democracy that voting is free and well informed [Grayling] |
23260 | A cap on time of service would restrict party control and career ambitions [Grayling] |
23253 | Majority decisions are only acceptable if the minority interests are not vital [Grayling] |
1766 | Diogenes said that the most excellent thing among men was freedom of speech [Diogenes of Sin., by Diog. Laertius] |
23256 | Liberty and equality cannot be reconciled [Grayling] |
23258 | The very concept of democracy entails a need for justice [Grayling] |
23259 | There should be separate legislative, executive and judicial institutions [Grayling] |
7292 | War must also have a good chance of success, and be waged with moderation [Grayling] |
7824 | If suicide is lawful, but assisting suicide is unlawful, powerless people are denied their rights [Grayling] |
7819 | Religion gives answers, comforts, creates social order, and panders to superstition [Grayling] |
7817 | To make an afterlife appealing, this life has to be denigrated [Grayling] |
7818 | In Greek mythology only heroes can go to heaven [Grayling] |