Author Topic: Dawkins on philosophy.  (Read 2397 times)

SteveH

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Dawkins on philosophy.
« on: August 14, 2018, 09:02:54 AM »
"Am I alone in finding the very idea of 'Continental Philosophy' ridiculous? What would we think of a University that appointed someone to teach Continental Chemistry? Continental Algebra? Does it tell ussomething about philosophy as an academic discipline?"
Discuss.
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Nearly Sane

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Re: Dawkins on philosophy.
« Reply #1 on: August 14, 2018, 09:31:21 AM »
It tells me what I already knew about philosophy as an academic discipline. I just find it odd that Dawkins thinks it's much of a point.

SusanDoris

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Re: Dawkins on philosophy.
« Reply #2 on: August 14, 2018, 11:23:42 AM »
Is there supposed to be a link or something?
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Nearly Sane

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Re: Dawkins on philosophy.
« Reply #3 on: August 14, 2018, 11:26:58 AM »
Is there supposed to be a link or something?
No, it's a quote from Dawkins about philosophy that he made on Twitter

Walt Zingmatilder

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Re: Dawkins on philosophy.
« Reply #4 on: August 14, 2018, 12:12:00 PM »
Sounds like his prostate might be giving him gip.

Roses

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Re: Dawkins on philosophy.
« Reply #5 on: August 14, 2018, 12:16:22 PM »
Sounds like his prostate might be giving him gip.

One could argue the same thing about yours, if your posts are anything to go by. ;D
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Gordon

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Re: Dawkins on philosophy.
« Reply #6 on: August 14, 2018, 12:20:20 PM »
I'm not sure of the context behind what Dawkins says but it sounds like he is bemoaning that there are specialist areas within philosophy. Presumably 'continental philosophy' covers the likes of the Vienna Circle (Logical Positivism and Carnap et al) as opposed to, say, those who focus on the pre-Socratics.

Other disciplines also have specialist areas, and no doubt Dawkins is very familiar with these in relation to his own specialist area of biology, so I wonder what his objection is in relation to the same being the case as regards philosophy - does anyone know what his problem is?

I wonder too how actual philosophers, which Dawkins isn't, have reacted to his observation.   

Walt Zingmatilder

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Re: Dawkins on philosophy.
« Reply #7 on: August 14, 2018, 12:20:42 PM »
One could argue the same thing about yours, if your posts are anything to go by. ;D

And yours.

Walt Zingmatilder

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Re: Dawkins on philosophy.
« Reply #8 on: August 14, 2018, 12:25:01 PM »
I'm not sure of the context behind what Dawkins says but it sounds like he is bemoaning that there are specialist areas within philosophy. Presumably 'continental philosophy' covers the likes of the Vienna Circle (Logical Positivism and Carnap et al) as opposed to, say, those who focus on the pre-Socratics.

Other disciplines also have specialist areas, and no doubt Dawkins is very familiar with these in relation to his own specialist area of biology, so I wonder what his objection is in relation to the same being the case as regards philosophy - does anyone know what his problem is?

I wonder too how actual philosophers, which Dawkins isn't, have reacted to his observation.
This is his usual intellectual imperialism since he is not averse to expressing what should be taught or studied at universities or the basis on which they should be understood. His overview being what should be allowed.

Roses

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Re: Dawkins on philosophy.
« Reply #9 on: August 14, 2018, 12:25:42 PM »
And yours.

Women don't have a prostate, didn't you know that?
"At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them."

Walt Zingmatilder

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Re: Dawkins on philosophy.
« Reply #10 on: August 14, 2018, 12:26:33 PM »
Women don't have a prostate, didn't you know that?
It's a joke.

SteveH

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Re: Dawkins on philosophy.
« Reply #11 on: August 14, 2018, 12:42:42 PM »
I think his point is (and I don't necessarily agree with him) that with the hard sciences, such as chemistry, there is just chemistry, subdivided into organic and inorganic maybe, but not into schools and tendencies. With the hard sciences, if it's true at all, it's true everywhere and for everyone, and whether or not you believe it. With philosophy, there are schools, tendencies, fashions, etc., which (implies Dicky D) means it's all a load of my eye and Betty Martin.
I have a pet termite. His name is Clint. Clint eats wood.

Walt Zingmatilder

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Re: Dawkins on philosophy.
« Reply #12 on: August 14, 2018, 01:48:19 PM »
I think his point is (and I don't necessarily agree with him) that with the hard sciences, such as chemistry, there is just chemistry, subdivided into organic and inorganic maybe, but not into schools and tendencies. With the hard sciences, if it's true at all, it's true everywhere and for everyone, and whether or not you believe it. With philosophy, there are schools, tendencies, fashions, etc., which (implies Dicky D) means it's all a load of my eye and Betty Martin.
Dawkins wants to coral all understanding and intellectual endeavour into the ultradarwinian sphere knowledge reduced to memetics.

Nearly Sane

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Re: Dawkins on philosophy.
« Reply #13 on: August 14, 2018, 02:02:14 PM »
Dawkins wants to coral all understanding and intellectual endeavour into the ultradarwinian sphere knowledge reduced to memetics.
Leaving aside the other appalling crimes committed against making sense there, you mean corral, not coral.

Walt Zingmatilder

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Re: Dawkins on philosophy.
« Reply #14 on: August 14, 2018, 02:45:14 PM »
Leaving aside the other appalling crimes committed against making sense there, you mean corral, not coral.

OK.....Corral.

Nearly Sane

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Shaker

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Re: Dawkins on philosophy.
« Reply #16 on: August 14, 2018, 03:16:16 PM »
It's a joke.
And like all Vlad's jokes, no laughing matter.
Pain, or damage, don't end the world. Or despair, or fucking beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man, and give some back. - Al Swearengen, Deadwood.

Walt Zingmatilder

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Re: Dawkins on philosophy.
« Reply #17 on: August 14, 2018, 05:28:28 PM »
And like all Vlad's jokes, no laughing matter.
I thought it was funny and at the end of the day that's what counts.