[lit-ideas] Re: Whiteheadiana
- From: Jlsperanza@xxxxxxx
- To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 18:33:47 -0500 (EST)
In a message dated 1/27/2014 12:40:20 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
omarkusto@xxxxxxxxx writes:
Honestly, I think that very few contemporary philosophers believe that
their arguments possess the certainty of 'demonstration' in the Aristotelian
sense. (Other than perhaps in the field of formal logic, to the extent that
logic might still be considered a branch of philosophy) It might be
flogging a dead horse, here. :)
Well, it _might_ do to revise what Aristotle, in Greek, meant by 'proof',
since we were citing him.
"In the same spirit, therefore, should each type of statement be received;
for it is the mark of an educated man to look for precision in each class
of things just so far as the nature of the subject admits; it is
[clearly/surely/plainly] equally foolish to accept probable reasoning from a
mathematician and to demand from a rhetorician scientific proofs" [Nicomachean
Ethics, I.1]
But, of course, we may yet have to learn what this interpreter of Whitehead
wants to explore regarding Whitehead on the topic: the creation of wild
and free concepts -- apparently.
I hope she explores the most obscure writings by Whitehead, since he _may_
be a philosopher worth revisiting -- or not.
I would NOT think Whitehead was having Aristotle as his idea of logic; more
likely Frege, that Russell worshipped, or Peano. Vide, Kneale, "The
development of logic".
O. K. raises an interesting point as to whether logic should be considered
a branch of philosophy. The dichotomy in Whitehead seems to be mathematics
vs. philosophy, rather -- indeed.
When this interpreter of Whitehead speaks of 'mathematical necessity' or
the 'necessity' of a mathematical proof, I guess we have to rewrite that in
terms of mathematics _as Whitehead knew them_, rather than any later
developments of the discipline. I should revise the references cited in this
exegesis of Whitehead's work -- or not, of course.
Cheers,
Speranza
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