RE: Has Philosophy over stepped it's boundaries?
September 18, 2014 at 5:53 am
(This post was last modified: September 18, 2014 at 6:14 am by dissily mordentroge.)
(September 18, 2014 at 12:30 am)Endo Wrote: . . . . . . If the "central purpose" of philosophy is "the love of wisdom",I'm pleased to note your use of 'if' as there's some doubt a strong case can be made for such an assertion. It may be the case a number of those who classify themselves as philosophers do so out of something they think of as a love of wisdom. What actually is 'wisdom' and how will we recognise it when we come across it? By conducting a discussion with an internal consistency of definition funtioning according to rules agreed to by all participants? By exposing our methodology and conclusions to the world outside the ivory tower to test their effectiveness? By reference to the 'beauty' of the dialogue?
(September 18, 2014 at 5:10 am)bennyboy Wrote:…" as many different perspectives as a person cares to put on it" And what if the entire set of perspectives a person cares to put on it are beside the point or worse still, irrational?(September 18, 2014 at 4:30 am)Dissily Mordentroge Wrote: Why does that smell to me of academic snobbery of the worst kind?If you'd read the whole passage, you'd see the exact opposite is true. Philosophy allows for the examination of an issue from as many different perspectives as a person cares to put on it-- and if some of these perspectives prove fruitless, no matter. At least the final product won't be dogma; it will be a battle-tested strongman, worthy of transmission to the next set of ears, or the next culture. It seems to me that is the exact opposite of snobbery.
"Battle tested strongman, worthy of transmission to the next set of ears"? Putting ideas to the test within a purely acadmic environment without reference to any practical application in the world is from my perspective at the very heart of why philosophy is vanishing up it's own backside at this point in time, and more tragically, regarded by the general public as no more than an obscure academic party game with no relevance to the real world. (Let's not get into a debate about 'real' for now.)
I'm tempted to quote Ayn Rand's epistemology here but since she's regarded as a non-philosopher by the 'wise' I'll desist.
I don't see how dogma came into this or why you've introduced the concept in this context so I'll avoid commenting on it.
(September 18, 2014 at 12:41 am)bennyboy Wrote:Must they? Haven't you noticed how so many philosophers use particular words with a meaning unique to their own writings?(September 18, 2014 at 12:10 am)Dissily Mordentroge Wrote: A somewhat circular definition.How so? Philo (love) + sophy (wisdom) = love of wisdom.
The problem is you think Philosophy = _____, and that I'm saying _____ has as its central purpose the love of wisdom. That's mistaken. The word philosophy IS ITSELF a statement of purpose, and all the things we do in, with, and about philosophy must by definition have the love of wisdom at their core-- or they must be called by a different word.
As to the origin of the word philosophy, so what? The origins of any term used to denote a particular discipline can't bind or limit the scope, meaning and purpose of that discipline for all eternity. Take for instance the simple difference between, say, the medieval use of the term to include a vast array of intellectual pursuits many of which today are not regarded as within the scope of philosophy proper. Physics, for instance, comes to mind.
The Human Race is insane.