Topics Philosophy

Question I think that one of the coolest things about intellectual projects dealing with the "big" questions is that different disciplines can all bring something to the discussion (for example you might invoke quantum mechanics in talking about free will and determinism, or you might talk about the anthropric principle having something to say about religion). As philosophers, do you spend much time (or feel that you should or want to spend time) studying disciplines other than philosophy (physics, biology, pscyhology, economics) in order to bring different sorts of insight to bear on your work? Do you ever worry that if you don't reach outside your specialty, you might be handicapping yourself? Is it troubling to think that philosophy, in this way, might not be self-sufficient, so to speak? -j. santana

Accepted:
August 23, 2006

Comments

Anyone who supposes that philosophy (the word means "love of wisdom") is self-sufficient is probably not a very good philosopher. Most philosophers continue throughout their careers to learn everything they can about cognate disciplines, and what these disciplines have to say about the issues we study. In some fields (philosophy of physics, philosophy of mathematics, philosophy of mind, for examples) one can hardly function at a professional level these days without substantial learning in "non-philosophical" areas. Those who love learning, I think, are the most likely to advance knowledge in any field.