What's the point of philosophy any more?

[bennyboy]

And using your method you'll never define what qualia is, what it isn't, how to recognise it or whether it even exists. Do you honestly believe that just by reasoning about these things without performing studies and experiments that you and your ilk will ever make any progress to the point where the majority will largely agree?

If pragmatism is truth, then you're right.  But it isn't, and you're not.

I can definitely define what qualia is [sic]. It's the experience of what things are like, including the existence of the self. That you can't hit it with a hammer and therefore want to discard it from any intellectual consideration is your problem, not a problem with philosophy.

At any rate, if you want your world view to be taken as fact, you'll have to move from pragmatic assumptions (read: philosophical choices) and into a world of solid proof. Prove to me that anything exists as you perceive it, and we can talk. With all due respect, I'll refrain from holding my breath while I wait for you to achieve that, because forever is longer than I can hold it.

My approach is to let things live in their correct context. If you're trying to investigate the physical universe, use science. If you're trying to determine how to keep society healthy, use moral philosophy. If you're trying to get in touch with your inner self, sit on a beach and meditate or take drugs. You have to learn to be a little more versatile in your approach to experience, because there are different categories of experience, and an intelligent person will approach them differently.