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Is Grice the greatest philosopher that ever lived?

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Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Chaconne: both exquisite and hideous?

--- from Grice, PPQ, vol. 67, p. 27

When Nero played the Chaconne, and Roma burned, he possibly did something very exquisite ("it is a formidable piece to play", comments Grice). Yet at the same time, he was doing something very hideous, to the people of Rome: expressing his contempt.

Davidson fails to recognise that the same event (Nero producing some sounds out of his bow and fiddle) can be both.

Davidson ignores the subtle metaphyisical (ontological) category of supervenience.

Nero's contempt to the people of Roma SUPERVENES on his playing the fiddle.

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