Topics Philosophers

Question How arrogant are philosophers? Are they more or less easily to have their minds changed as compared to scientists or theologians?

Accepted:
January 2, 2014

Comments

Two very difficult questions! Your first question about 'how arrogant are philosophers' suggests you are not asking whether philosophers are arrogant, but asking about the magnitude of arrogance. Before replying to your question, please allow me to back-up a bit.

First, when is anyone arrogant? I suggest that someone is arrogant when he thinks, acts and/or feels with vanity or presumptuousness; typically an arrogant person may claim to know what is right or make assumptions about other persons or things without sensitivity or a properly humble effort to learn about others. When I picture an arrogant character, I imagine him or her as someone who is not at all self-critical; an arrogant person seems (in a typical case) someone who would never dream or imagine that he or she is wrong on some opinion or conviction.

In keeping with the above account, I should add that the above portrait may be wrong and I am open to changing my mind in light of better suggestions. I imagine that the last thing you are in the mood for is an arrogant account of arrogance!

As for philosophers, let me approach the matter from three angles in terms of ideals or models; philosophers historically; professional philosophers today.

In terms of ideals or models, 'philosophy' (which means the love of wisdom, from 'philo' for love and 'sophia' for wisdom) seems the very opposite of arrogance. Many see Socrates as a model philosopher and he was deeply committed to questioning when persons make claims to know about justice, holiness, courage, and so on, without proper grounds or justification. In Plato's early dialogues, Socrates is very reluctant to describe himself as wise or make presumptuous claims about being an expert on the soul, though he did commend to his fellow Athenians to care for their souls.

Historically, it is not easy to categorize philosophers in terms of arrogance, though some philosophers, like Socrates, stand out as stressing the importance of humility. Perhaps C.S. Pierce and William James are two 20th century cases. You ask about philosophers changing their minds. From the beginning, Plato did change his mind on several points and one may see through his dialogues a restless re-examination of earlier positions. Probably the most famous philosopher in the twentieth century to change his mind on many occasions is Bertrand Russell.

Today? There are some amazingly humble, self-critical, sensitive philosophers such as Ernie Sosa. Speaking personally, I have changed my mind on many fronts over the years. I began as a nominalist, but came to believe that was inadequate and I am currently a Platonist; I was an atheist then became agnostic and am currently a theist. Unfortunately or fortunately, there have not been (to the best of my knowledge) sociological studies that measure the arrogance of self-identified or professional philosophers in comparison with scientists and theologians. There is also the problem that just as a humble person is unlikely to announce that she is humble, it is just as unlikely that an arrogant philosopher (or plumber or taxi driver) will announce that he is arrogant.

For what its worth, in my view a philosopher who is arrogant usually does not advance in the profession. If you are utterly vain and allergic to self-questioning, chances are grim that your teaching evaluations will get you tenure and you are probably the last person on earth to be sought out to serve as an editor for philosophy journals and publications.

In sum, I do not see heaps of arrogance among philosophers either today or historically. But I could be blind on this point and might be wrong.

Question How arrogant are philosophers? Are they more or less easily to have their minds changed as compared to scientists or theologians? Accepted:January 2, 2014

Question How arrogant are philosophers? Are they more or less easily to have their minds changed as compared to scientists or theologians?

Accepted:
January 2, 2014