'For the person or persons that hold dominion, can no more combine with the keeping up of majesty the running with harlots drunk or naked about the streets, or the performances of a stage player, or the open violation or contempt of laws passed by themselves than they can combine existence with non-existence'.

- Benedict de Spinoza. Political Treatise. 1677.




Monday, November 23, 2009

on certainty 168


168.  But now, what part is played by the presupposition that a substance A always reacts to a substance B in the same way, given the same circumstances? Or is that part of the definition of a substance?



what part does such a presupposition play?

like any presupposition –

it will function as a basis for thought and action

it will provide a focus

even if it is part of the definition of a substance –

like any proposal –

it will be open to question –

open to doubt


© greg t.charlton. 2009.