Single Idea 7950

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 5. Aims of Philosophy / d. Philosophy as puzzles]

Full Idea

Philosophical problems are problems about how what is actual is possible, given that what is actual appears, because of some faulty argument, to be impossible.

Gist of Idea

Philosophy tries to explain how the actual is possible, given that it seems impossible

Source

Cynthia Macdonald (Varieties of Things [2005], Ch.6)

Book Reference

Macdonald,Cynthia: 'Varieties of Things' [Blackwell 2005], p.219


A Reaction

[She is discussing universals when she makes this comment] A very appealing remark, given that most people come into philosophy because of a mixture of wonder and puzzlement. It is a rather Wittgensteinian view, though, that we must cure our own ills.