h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi,
I think I've finished editing the above entry. If you want to pop over to my space and have a look at it before I send it in, feel free! I haven't changed much because it was already really, really good. In fact I've changed one sentence :
"These comprised the organisation of an understanding - of which the laws of mathematics, geometry and physics had need - that mere empirical observation could not give them."
instead of:
"It was because these comprised the organisation of the understanding that the laws of mathematics, geometry and physics had the necessity that mere empirical observation could not give them." (I think).

So that's really it. Any objections, feel free to mention them, I'm not sensitive.
Sarah

I think I prefer the original, as what is conferred by the organisation of the understanding is precisely the NECESSITY of the laws in question, which the rewrite seems to miss.

Feel free to convince me otherwise, of course.

I'll have a think about it, anyway.

Noggin

Then how about:
"These comprised the organisation of an understanding, of which the laws of mathematics, geometry and physics had a necessity that mere empirical observation could not give them"

How about that? I’ve taken out the "it was because" again, because it just doesn’t seem to be resolved in the sentence anywhere. Or did you mean:

"It was because these comprised the organisation of the understanding, that the laws of mathematics, geometry and physics had a necessity that mere empirical observation could not give them."

Let me know, anyhow!

Sorry, the codes were supposed to be 's. Lesson : never write posts in Word and then transfer them, no matter how much you need to mess about with sentences.

Hmmm... actually none of them are quite right, are they?

How about - These comprised the organisation of the understanding, through which the laws of mathematics, geometry and physics acquired a necessity that mere empirical observation could not give them.

The point that Kant was making was that necessity is not something observable "out there", but depends on the mind.

Thanks

Noggin

OK then, I'll change it now. Anything else you'd like me to do?

That's fine thanks.

Noggin

Duly changed and returned. Pleasure working with you.