Language What is the best way to approach questions like "What is the meaning of the word x?"? Is there some kind of advisable generalised approach to such questions, based on the remarkable developments in philosophy of language? What would Wittgenstein probably say? I'm thinking for example of the debate in aesthetics concerning the meaning of the word beautiful. Read more about What is the best way to approach questions like "What is the meaning of the word 1 comment Log in to post comments
Sport I am a soccer fanatic. I watch as much soccer as possible. So it was no question that I saw the Women's World Cup Final. But as I watched the US play Japan in the Women's World Cup Final, I became aware later in the game that I was rooting for Japan just out of compassion because of their recent natural disaster. Also, it looked like Japan needed the win more than the US. As someone who is born in the US, is it wrong to root for the opposing team out of empathy? Read more about I am a soccer fanatic. I watch as much soccer as possible. So it was no question 1 comment Log in to post comments
Existence To what extent is the virtual world in "The Matrix" not real? Those who live in the Matrix without knowledge of its true nature go through life identically to those who live in our presumably "real" world today, without any difference at all, meaningful or not. So why isn't the Matrix real? Why aren't virtual worlds, to some primitive degree, also real? Or could they be so, and if so, what would they need to do to become reality? Read more about To what extent is the virtual world in "The Matrix" not real? Those who live in 1 comment Log in to post comments
Perception Does synesthesia have any significant implication for philosophies of perception? Read more about Does synesthesia have any significant implication for philosophies of perception 1 comment Log in to post comments
Ethics Truth It is often said that people have the right to hold whatever beliefs they want, even if they fly in the face of fact. To what extent is this true? There is surely no serious problem with a person believing that tulips are hallucinogenic (the worst case scenario is that they will be disappointed), but there is surely something wrong with a parent believing that large doses of arsenic is an integral part of a healthy child's diet. Is harm really the only factor that matters? Do people have a duty to hold true opinions if they are able to do so? Do people have the right to try and correct the false beliefs of others? Read more about It is often said that people have the right to hold whatever beliefs they want, 1 comment Log in to post comments
Logic Hi, I would like to ask a question about Logic. There is a formal logical fallacy called "Circular Reasoning", are not all argument tho circular? The conclusion is always found in the premises. and then drawn from them into a conclusion. Read more about Hi, I would like to ask a question about Logic. There is a formal logical 1 comment Log in to post comments
Science Isn’t it true that ultimately all truth is conventional? The system of logic, our inferences we accept, our physics, our views on reality; are all grounded in our presuppositions? To be intellectually honest there is no argument for objectivity. We have to retreat to commonsense realism and agreement among people and communities...so truth in reality is a matter of consensus! Even though none of us wishes to cop to that label. So logic, physics, science is all rhetoric or the art of convincing one of our views? Even if we hold that there is one God and His truth is absolute and objective - this is still a convention one must accept? Read more about Isn’t it true that ultimately all truth is conventional? The system of logic, 1 comment Log in to post comments
Profession I graduated this year with a philosophy B.A., and now I am cautiously considering grad school in philosophy. My professors think I have promise; for example, they have encouraged me to try to get a couple of my undergrad papers published. However, I know that, given the state of the philosophy job market, I would likely end up out of philosophy and underemployed if I pursue a PhD. Do I have a moral obligation to pursue a less risky but productive career? Read more about I graduated this year with a philosophy B.A., and now I am cautiously 1 comment Log in to post comments
Justice The media frenzy and general public outcry arising from the acquittal of Casey Anthony has raised a major ethical issue:- If "everybody believes" that Casey was the person who killed her her child, was the jury wrong in concerning itself with the legal technicalities, such as the absence of any substantial evidence linking Casey to the murder. She claimed that her father was implicated in the child's death, and the jury considered him as a completely unsatisfactory witness, and that seemed to have given rise to the "reasonable doubt" that the jury had, and which ultimately caused them to opt for acquittal. Read more about The media frenzy and general public outcry arising from the acquittal of Casey 1 comment Log in to post comments
Profession Are philosophy conferences really hostile? I ask this because I was reading how there was a guy in a conference with his portable white board keeping score of who was winning. I also hear that you guys are vicious trying to pick arguments. Is this some type of philosopher bonding thing or are you guys really just hostile? hehe. Read more about Are philosophy conferences really hostile? I ask this because I was reading how 1 comment Log in to post comments