BQ10

Class Responses and Instructor Comments

>From jp:

Many ideas within the same area allow you to create a general idea, the more ideas the better the general, you cannat generalize about something you have no ideas of.

>rm says: But where's the contradiction? Hint: Berkeley uses the example of the triangle.

>From eddie:

The notion of an abstract general idea leads to contradiction because we must abstract motion and other general qualities from their particular objects and also we must abstract an object extension from its being percieved. we cannot distinguish between the two.. so this leads to contradiction.

>rm says: Still, I don't see any contradiction here. Would an abstract idea of a man be of a tall man? Or of a short one?

>From Mayra Diaz:

Abstract general ideas come from a generalization of our senses. Therefore for it to be a contridiction is to say (ex. the triangle) that not all the sides to a triangle are equal but can be of different shapes and since we know what a triangle looks like through prior knowledge of our perception it would be contridictory to say that a triangle is round when we already know it is not.

>rm says: But no triangles are round, so the general idea of a triangle wouldn't include the property of roundness. But would the general idea of a triangle be scalene or isosceles, or equilateral?

>From KAI YU and WAI YAN:

you can't have bald and hairy at the same time therefore general ideas lead to contradiction.

>rm says: This is right, though it would require a bit more detailed explanation.

Berkeley Reading Guide 10. How does the notion of an abstract, general idea lead to a contradiction?		Back to Berkeley Reading Guide Back to Philosophy 101 Home Next Question
Enter your response to the above question, or to a previous response, in the form below, or use this email link. I will post your response on the right, and comment if I think I can be helpful. When emailing, instead of using the form, please indicate the question number. When using the form below, if you neglect to enter your name or email, I won't know who you are.	Class Responses and Instructor Comments >From jp: Many ideas within the same area allow you to create a general idea, the more ideas the better the general, you cannat generalize about something you have no ideas of. >rm says: But where's the contradiction? Hint: Berkeley uses the example of the triangle. >From eddie: The notion of an abstract general idea leads to contradiction because we must abstract motion and other general qualities from their particular objects and also we must abstract an object extension from its being percieved. we cannot distinguish between the two.. so this leads to contradiction. >rm says: Still, I don't see any contradiction here. Would an abstract idea of a man be of a tall man? Or of a short one? >From Mayra Diaz: Abstract general ideas come from a generalization of our senses. Therefore for it to be a contridiction is to say (ex. the triangle) that not all the sides to a triangle are equal but can be of different shapes and since we know what a triangle looks like through prior knowledge of our perception it would be contridictory to say that a triangle is round when we already know it is not. >rm says: But no triangles are round, so the general idea of a triangle wouldn't include the property of roundness. But would the general idea of a triangle be scalene or isosceles, or equilateral? >From KAI YU and WAI YAN: you can't have bald and hairy at the same time therefore general ideas lead to contradiction. >rm says: This is right, though it would require a bit more detailed explanation.
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