Combining Texts

All the ideas for 'Mahaprajnaparamitashastra', 'Quaestiones de anima' and 'Philosophy'

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4 ideas

9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 2. Hylomorphism / d. Form as unifier

16766	One thing needs a single thing to unite it; if there were two forms, something must unite them [Aquinas]
	Full Idea: One thing simpliciter is produced out of many actually existing things only if there is something uniting and tying them to each other. If Socrates were animal and rational by different forms, then to be united they would need something to make them one.
	From: Thomas Aquinas (Quaestiones de anima [1269], 11c), quoted by Robert Pasnau - Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 25.2
	A reaction: This is the reply to the idea that a single thing is just an interesting of many sortal essences. It presumes, of course, that a thing like a horse has something called 'unity'.

11. Knowledge Aims / A. Knowledge / 7. Knowledge First

23888	Knowledge is beyond question, as an unavoidable component of thinking [Weil]
	Full Idea: The speaker refuses to pose the question of knowledge, since knowledge is a given that is mixed with thought, and that no thinking being can get away from.
	From: Simone Weil (Philosophy [1941], p.42)
	A reaction: On the whole I favour belief-first, but I take the primary purpose of minds to be navigation, and that needs facts, not hopeful beliefs. Weil's thought pushes me a bit towards the knowledge first view.

21. Aesthetics / B. Nature of Art / 1. Defining Art

23887	Art (like philosophy) establishes a relation between world and self, and between oneself and others [Weil]
	Full Idea: Isn't true art a method for establishing a certain relation between the world and the self, and between oneself and others, and isn't that the equivalent of philosophy?
	From: Simone Weil (Philosophy [1941], p.38)
	A reaction: I hope the definition of 'true' art doesn't have to conform to achieving this relation. I suppose each good work of art shows you a distinctive way of relating to the world. An interesting thought (as so often with this thinker).

23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 3. Virtues / a. Virtues

7903	The six perfections are giving, morality, patience, vigour, meditation, and wisdom [Nagarjuna]
	Full Idea: The six perfections are of giving, morality, patience, vigour, meditation, and wisdom.
	From: Nagarjuna (Mahaprajnaparamitashastra [c.120], 88)
	A reaction: What is 'morality', if giving is not part of it? I like patience and vigour being two of the virtues, which immediately implies an Aristotelian mean (which is always what is 'appropriate').