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There are quite a lot of things which people transmit as true beliefs, which we all know are false. We tell people that not only love exists, but true love, and
by canhascodez 8y ago
There are quite a lot of things which people transmit as true beliefs, which we all know are false. We tell people that not only love exists, but true love, and justice, and objective truth, and honor. No one has ever touched or measured an atom of love -- but we all need to feel loved, and acting like love or truth or honor don't exist leads to atrocities. Funny old world, ain't it?
- erikpukinskis 8y agoWhat’s your proof that love, honor, and truth don’t exist?
- canhascodez 8y agoThat would be the definition of an abstract concept, I believe.
- erikpukinskis 8y agoWhat’s an example of something that’s not an abstract concept?
- canhascodez 8y agoWell, if this is Philosophy 201, then clearly everything is abstract, and something something Plato's cave. However, the default position is that (surprise!) objective reality exists. Things that are observable and measurable are not abstract. Those things around you that you can perceive with your senses are not abstract. For a more in-depth perspective, you could take a look at the Wikipedia pages for: empiricism, epistemology, philosophy of science. Also, the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy should have a reasonably topical article about Rationalism vs. Empiricism.
- antidesitter 8y ago> which we all know are false I think you’re projecting your own beliefs onto others.
- canhascodez 8y agoI was speaking a little loosely, but if you want to advance an argument for the empirical existence of abstract concepts, I'm sure I'd be interested.
- antidesitter 8y agoIt’s not about what I believe. It’s that your original comment made it seem that everyone “knows” these things are false, which is not true (not even loosely).
- canhascodez 8y agoThose are abstract concepts, which are considered to not be real by definition. I think you should find another fight to pick with someone else.
- drdeca 8y agoBy definition? I don't consider abstract concept to be not real by definition. I don't think you are using a definition that I am familiar with.
- canhascodez 8y agoPlease find a serious argument.
- burke 8y agoThe issue here is that no one in this thread is being clear about what they mean when they say “real”.
- canhascodez 8y agoThe distinction between "abstract" and "measurable" is not ambiguous. "Real" in this context (and most others) means "empirically observable", as in, you and I are able to make an observation or measurement and arrive at similar values. Abstract concepts are by definition not empirically observable. Semantic arguments are a complete and utter waste of time.