Title: Indifference arguments /
Authors: Makin, Stephen, 1955-
Publisher: Blackwell,
Year: 1993
Subjects: Atomism.; Logic, Ancient.; Reasoning
Abstract: In this book Stephen Makin offers a striking new account of some intriguing but neglected arguments - indifference arguments - and of the presocratic atomism underpinned by indifference reasoning. Used by Parmenides, Democritus, Plato, Aristotle and Leibniz as well as some contemporary philosophers, indifference arguments start from claims about a balance of reasons or an absence of asymmetries. While some provide plausible support for surprisingly strong conclusions, others produce no conviction. Here, Makin offers an account of indifference arguments and provides answers to such philosophical questions as 'What makes a good piece of indifference reasoning?', 'How do the arguments work?', 'Do they involve claims about the rationality of belief?', 'Do they entail metaphysical commitments?'. The account that is presented of the Democritean atomic theory strongly emphasizes the continuity of atomism with earlier thought. A number of Zeno's arguments are considered, and there is some discussion of other Eleatics. Indifference arguments in other ancient philosophers, such as Anaximander and Aristotle, also receive attention. The book will be of interest to all those concerned with ancient philosophy and philosophical logic.
Contents: 1. Introduction -- 1.1. Indifference Arguments -- 1.2. Presocratic Atomism -- 1.3. The Importance of Logical Analysis -- 2. The Eleatics -- 2.1. Why Zeno Needs Indifference Arguments -- 2.2. Where Zeno Uses Indifference Arguments -- 2.3. Parmenides and Division -- 2.4. Indifference Reasoning in Melissus? -- 2.3. Eleatic Indifference Reasoning -- 3. The Atomists -- 3.1. Indifference and Indivisibility -- 3.2. Indifference and Variety -- 3.3. Indifference and Epistemology -- 4. Some Other Indifference Arguments -- 4.1. Preamble -- 4.2. Anaximander's Earth -- 4.3. Aristotle against the Void -- 4.4. Agents and Patients -- 4.5. Closing Remarks -- 5. The Form of Indifference Arguments -- 5.1. Two Types of Argument -- 5.2. Reasons and Modalities -- 6. Epistemological Indifference Arguments -- 6.1. Are All Indifference Arguments Epistemological? -- 6.2. Ou Mallon and Ancient Scepticism -- 6.3. A Democritean Argument -- 6.4. Sorites Arguments -- 6.5. Arbitrary Objects and Quantification -- 6.6. Conclusion -- 7. Indifference Arguments without Epistemology -- 7.1. The Non-Epistemological Reading -- 7.2. An Argument for a Weak Principle of Plenitude -- 7.3. The Democritean Arguments -- 7.4. Looking Back.