Simon Blackburn Quotes

Contemporary culture is not very good on responsibility.

Simon Blackburn

It can seem an amazing fact that laws of nature keep on holding, that the frame of nature does not fall apart.

Simon Blackburn

We can grieve over lost powers and memories, or rejoice over gained knowledge and maturity, according to taste.

Simon Blackburn

But it is logically impossible that there could exist an 'unowned' dent, a dent without a surface that is dented.

Simon Blackburn

In Michigan recently a man won a lawsuit for substantial damages because, he claimed, a rear-end collision in his car had made him a homosexual.

Simon Blackburn

Chance is as relentless as necessity.

Simon Blackburn

A signpost doesn't in and of itself represent the way to the village. We have to learn how to take it.

Simon Blackburn

Thoughts are strange things. they have 'representational' powers: a thought typically represents the world as being one way or another. A sensation, by contrast, seems to just sit there.

Simon Blackburn

The scientific world is to be less threatening than was feared. It is to made safe for human beings. And the way to make it safe is to reflect on the foundation of knowledge.

Simon Blackburn

Since there is no telling in advance where it may lead, reflection can be seen as dangerous.

Simon Blackburn

The word 'philosophy' carries unfortunate connotations: impractical, unworldly, weird.

Simon Blackburn

We think about what to do, and muster considerations and arguments in favor of one course or another. How are we to think about that?

Simon Blackburn

Motion however will not help unless we have things moving.

Simon Blackburn

Paradigms can be asked to show their worth, an some of them do not stand up.

Simon Blackburn

Finding a mechanism does not bypass the problem of induction.

Simon Blackburn