Dawkins on philosophy.

[SteveH]

"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.

[Nearly Sane]

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]

Is there supposed to be a link or something?

[Nearly Sane]

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]

Sounds like his prostate might be giving him gip.

[Roses]

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.

[Gordon]

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]

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

And yours.

[Walt Zingmatilder]

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]

And yours.

Women don't have a prostate, didn't you know that?

[Walt Zingmatilder]

Women don't have a prostate, didn't you know that?

It's a joke.

[SteveH]

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.

[Walt Zingmatilder]

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]

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]

Leaving aside the other appalling crimes committed against making sense there, you mean corral, not coral.

OK.....Corral.

[Nearly Sane]

OK.....Corral.

[Shaker]

It's a joke.

And like all Vlad's jokes, no laughing matter.

[Walt Zingmatilder]

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.