Recent Responses
Why is subtlety ("showing" and not "telling") valued in art and literature?
Douglas Burnham
September 11, 2006
(changed September 11, 2006)
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I think there are actually two questions here. First, the question about the value of 'subtlety'; second, about the value of 'showing' rather than telling. In other words, I'm not convinced that the latter is a definition of 'subtlety'; it seems to me that one can tell with subtlety,... Read more
The more we learn about genetic determinants to human behaviour, the more, I suspect, we will learn that men and women are intrinsically different in their tendencies and capacities. Could discoveries of this sort ever justify any sort of sexism, or differential treatment of men and women, or is it incumbent upon us to treat men and women equally in a strict sense in any case?
Richard Heck
September 10, 2006
(changed September 10, 2006)
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Whether your empirical speculation is correct, it is of course not for philosophers to say. So let's focus on the question. Let's suppose it turns out that women are intrinsically more intelligent than men. Should women then be accorded special treatment as regards education?
To suppose... Read more
I realize that this isn’t exactly a philosophical question but I’ve tried asking it elsewhere, to no avail. Can anyone help? I'm studying at home with two books on critical reasoning that are recommended in some philosophy introductions. I think I've done ok with most of the exercises so far, but I've really struggled with the sections on identifying implicit assumptions (context, underlying, additional reasons/ enthymemes, intermediate conclusions etc.). Is there anyone on this panel who is aware of any other resource which gives further opportunity to practice identifying implicit assumptions, and gives answers? Old law-school admission tests or something? I've gone through all the exercises in both books now, and unfortunately the answers are heavily etched into memory, so they’re no longer practice. If not then perhaps some general tips? Any help would be valuable, as it would seem to be a serious hurdle for me. I’m trying to ease back into the realms of academia after having three children and would like to go on to do an introductory philosophy course of some sort. Thanks.
Richard Heck
September 10, 2006
(changed September 10, 2006)
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Unfortunately, I think the only concrete thing I can suggest is that you look for other texts on critical reasoning. (You don't say which two you have, and I'm not familiar with many, so I'm afraid I can't give more specific advice.)
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Is Philosophy part of the Humanities? If it isn't, what is it then? Kind of science of methods or science of structures or metascience?
Richard Heck
September 10, 2006
(changed September 10, 2006)
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I think this question is one of the most contentious in the field at the moment. Perhaps it has always been this way.
For some of us, philosophy, as we practice it, has very little in common with the other disciplines traditionally included among the humanities. (I'm not entirely sure I... Read more
In question 630 about the future, one answer was that "If it's true now that you will lose a finger next year, then you will lose a finger next year and zipping into the future isn't going to change that." What if the person cut his/her whole hand off? This would obviously show the loss of the finger, but with a new addition (or subtraction, ha ha!) to the picture: a missing hand. Wouldn't this prove that one could alter the future if it was seen?
Alexander George
September 12, 2006
(changed September 12, 2006)
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You might also look at Question 997 and other entries mentioned there.
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I have a few friends who are professional philosophers and who recognize the strength of arguments for vegetarianism, who say they don´t have counter arguments but still don't turn vegetarian. Is rational argument really persuasive? Or can't Mark Rowlands ever convince Roger Scruton that hunting is immoral? What is the authority of moral reasoning? Is there something one can do through reason to persuade the sensible knave?
Oliver Leaman
September 8, 2006
(changed September 8, 2006)
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I have friends who are convinced that one should always tell the truth and yet do not do so, and librarians are familiar with the phenomenon that books on ethics seem to disappear with greater frequency than on many other topics. It is one thing to be convinced by an argument, and quite a... Read more
How do I become smarter? I want to read works from authors such as Locke, Plato, Aristotle, etc. But I do not know which books will lead me to understanding. Any help?
Oliver Leaman
September 8, 2006
(changed September 8, 2006)
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I don't think that reading anything at all with make you smarter, but anything by the authors you mention would be worth reading. Even if the language is difficult and unfamiliar, the effort to understand is both enjoyable and might raise all sorts of issues that you will enjoy thinking a... Read more
My question pertains to the idea of happiness being induced by a drug. If the drug--like modern anti-depressants--actually changes a person's neurochemistry such that for all intents and purposes the brain looks just like a "happy" brain, then wouldn't you consider that person happy? (Would you give a different answer for a drug like Ecstasy that alters the brain in slightly different ways than classic neurochemical happiness but still brings about a perception of happiness?) And what about the perception of happiness over the long haul? If someone is on anti-depressants for, say, fifty years, and has an over-all sense of peace, purpose, etc that they would NOT have otherwise had, have they, in fact, been happy?
Jyl Gentzler
October 18, 2006
(changed October 18, 2006)
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For the reasons that David offers, I agree that subjective feelingsof contentment are not sufficient for well-being: one couldfeel good and not be doing very well. At the same time, I would notconclude (not that David suggests otherwise) either that (1) positivefeelings of contentment are... Read more
If time is not an object how can the phrase "I don't have enough time" be considered possessive?
Amy Kind
September 7, 2006
(changed September 7, 2006)
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In addition to the points that Richard makes above, we might consider the fact that the expression "time" functions oddly in lots of constructions. Having too much time on your hands is quite different from having too much lotion on your hands, having time on your side is different from havin... Read more
What are the ethics of anonymity? When do people have a right to remain anonymous, and when are they obligated to reveal their association with their actions?
Roger Crisp
September 7, 2006
(changed September 7, 2006)
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An interesting question, and one that has received some -- though surprisingly little -- attention in philosophical ethics (e.g. in discussions about civil disobedience or whistle-blowing). I'm not sure, however, that there is really an 'ethics of anonymity', as if that is something autonom... Read more