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As in literary or film criticism, often some aspects or compositions are "over-analyzed." I mean this in the same way that a metaphor can be belabored. Could such a thing be true of philosophy? Can a work of philosophy be "over-analyzed" or belabored? Is there any theory or treatment of the problem of "over-analysis" or do you think this could never possibly be a problem since analysis is always good. N.B.
Accepted:
July 30, 2009

Comments

Eddy Nahmias
August 6, 2009 (changed August 6, 2009) Permalink

My answer will exemplify my answer: Yes, some philosophical problems and texts can (and have been)over-analyzed; no, I don't think there are any theories that treat this problem (it has been under-analyzed); no, analysis is not always good. I won't belabor these points! (But good question.)

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