“It is paltry philosophy if in the old-fashioned way one lays down rules and principles in total disregard of moral values . As soon as these appear one regards them as exceptions, which gives them a certain scientific status, and thus makes them into rules. Or again one may appeal to genius , which is above all rules; which amounts to admitting that rules are not only made for idiots , but are idiotic in themselves.” IfsWayGivingMayMadePhilosophyCertainValuesMoralPrinciplesAmountGeniusRegardLaysAppealsIdiotExceptionOld FashionedDisregardAdmittingIdioticMoral Values Book:On War Source: On War
“Philosophy, beginning in wonder, as Plato and Aristotle said, is able to fancy everything different from what it is. It sees the familiar as if it were strange, and the strange as if it were familiar. It can take things up and lay them down again. It rouses us from our native dogmatic slumber and breaks up our caked prejudices.” IfsSaidDifferentPhilosophyAbleWonderBreakStrangePrejudiceLaysFamiliarFancyNativePlatoSlumberDogmaticPlato And Aristotle Book:William James: Essays and Lectures Source: William James: Essays and Lectures
“We find sects and parties in most branches of science; and disputes which are carried on from age to age, without being brought to an issue. Sophistry has been more effectually excluded from mathematics and natural philosophy than from other sciences. In mathematics it had no place from the beginning; mathematicians having had the wisdom to define accurately the terms they use, and to lay down, as axioms, the first principles on which their reasoning is grounded. Accordingly, we find no parties among mathematicians, and hardly any disputes.” FirstsHas BeensPhilosophyUseAgeTermNaturalPartyPrinciplesIssuesMathematicsLaysReasoningBranchesMathematicianGroundedDisputesSectsAxiomsExcludedSophistryNatural Philosophy Author:Thomas Reid
“Mrs. Wiggs was a philosopher, and the sum and substance of her philosophy lay in keeping the dust off her rose-colored spectacles.” PhilosophyRealityLaysRosePhilosopherDustSubstanceSpectacles Book:Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch Source: Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch
“Wonder... and not any expectation of advantage from its discoveries, is the first principle which prompts mankind to the study of Philosophy, of that science which pretends to lay open the concealed connections that unite the various appearances of nature.” FirstsPhilosophyWonderPrinciplesKnowledgeStudyMankindExpectationsDiscoveryAdvantageConnectionsLaysVariousAppearanceConcealedPrompts Author:Adam Smith