Skip to content
Carmelics
TopicsThinkersChangesContributorsLoading account…

    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

    Navigate

    • Topics
    • Search
    • Recent Changes
    • Contribute
    • How It Works
    • Glossary
    • Thinkers
    • Contributors
    • About
    • Statistics
    • Terms
    • Privacy

    Database

    Statements
    —
    Perspectives
    —
    Topics
    —

    Press ? for keyboard shortcuts

    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    Home/Original/inverse
    See Original
    Inverse View

    It is not the case that If space and matter were strictly identical, 'vacuum' would be strictly inconceivable, yet Descartes expends considerable argument refuting it rather than dismissing it as grammatically ill-formed.

    ?Set your confidence on the premises below to see your aggregate.

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.Descartes refutes vacuum to defend plenum theory, not because vacuum is genuinely conceivable—philosophical refutation differs from conceptual possibility.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.The effort spent arguing against a position reflects its cultural persistence or rhetorical influence, not the metaphysical status of its core concepts.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Descartes could treat vacuum as a grammatically formable but physically impossible fiction, requiring substantive refutation without conceptual legitimacy.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Descartes' lengthy refutation of vacuum demonstrates he recognized it as a coherent conceptual possibility worth argumentative engagement.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.If vacuum were literally inconceivable under strict space-matter identity, dismissing it as nonsensical would be more efficient than constructing metaphysical counterarguments.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.The conceivability of vacuum as 'empty space' suggests space and matter retain some conceptual distinction even in Cartesian physics.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Next step

    Based on where you are in your exploration

    Strongest counterpoint
    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.