8972
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What in the real world could ground the distinction between the sets {A,{A,B}} and {B,{A,B}}? [Inwagen]
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Full Idea:
Nothing in the world of nominalistically acceptable things could ground or explain the non-identity of the set {A,{A,B}} with the set {B,{A,B}}.
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From:
Peter van Inwagen (Existence,Ontological Commitment and Fictions [2003], p.154)
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A reaction:
[He cites Goodman for this thought] Van Inwagen is offering this to show that the existence of sets is abstract, whereas Goodman was denying the existence of sets altogether. I'm with Goodman. Nice example.
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20723
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Only when working people are poor do they remain obedient to God [Calvin, by Weber]
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Full Idea:
Calvin made the much-quoted statement that only when the people, i.e. the mass of labourers and craftsmen, were poor did they remain obedient to God.
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From:
report of Jean Calvin (works [1549]) by Max Weber - The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism 5
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A reaction:
This is only one aspect of Christian influence. The alternative is John Wesley's exhortation to work diligently, live modestly, save, invest and get rich. Most people want a comfortable intermediate state, but who proclaims that?
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