dxu comments on Schools Proliferating Without Evidence - Less Wrong

40 Post author: Eliezer_Yudkowsky 15 March 2009 06:43AM

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Comment author: dxu 18 April 2015 07:13:16PM 3 points [-]

Wait, what? There's little evidence of anything better than philosophy at solving problems? How about physics, cognitive science, computer science, mathematics, etc.?

Comment author: Epictetus 19 April 2015 02:40:14AM 2 points [-]

When a branch of philosophy becomes useful at solving problems, people give it a new name and no longer consider it part of philosophy.

Comment author: dxu 19 April 2015 08:14:19PM *  2 points [-]

Then what is philosophy supposed to be? Just a field for asking questions (but not answering them)?

Comment author: Quill_McGee 19 April 2015 08:53:57PM 3 points [-]

The system for generating new fields of research? After all, if it generates other areas that are no longer philosophy reasonably regularly, then that actually creates value.

Comment author: dxu 20 April 2015 12:02:13AM *  2 points [-]

Does it (still) do so, though? I'm aware that most of what is now science used to be called "natural philosophy", but nowadays it doesn't really seem like there's anything left.

Comment author: Lumifer 20 April 2015 02:33:38AM 1 point [-]

The system for generating new fields of research?

Is it a system for generating new fields of research, or is it just a catch-all bin where all the nebulous, hazy, and vague things are kept until they firm up enough to become fields of research?

Comment author: TheAncientGeek 20 April 2015 10:16:04AM *  2 points [-]

Presumably its the place where questions that can't readily be answered, (or even formulated, .or may not even really be questions), live. A sin bin. The only realistic alternative is sweeping them under the carpet, since the idea of all questions automagically being answerable is a nirvana.

Philosophy is the best thing there is at being philosophy. Its worse at answering its in questions than other fields are at answering their own questions, but its questions are harder,. It isnt broken in the sense that there is any easy way of fixing it, or a comparable alternative doing the same job,

It is very important for rationality to notice the differences between

1 Inferior compared to a real , comparable thing

2 Inferior compared to unmplemented but realistic alternatives.

3 Inferior compared to nirvanas.

Comment author: TheAncientGeek 18 April 2015 07:20:50PM *  0 points [-]

Them="the hard problems in philosophy", not "problems"

How about physics, cognitive science, computer science, mathematics, etc.?

How about philosophy of physics, philosophy of mathematics? Why do they exist?

Comment author: dxu 19 April 2015 01:19:20AM *  2 points [-]

How about philosophy of physics, philosophy of mathematics?

Do these things solve problems in physics or in mathematics? If so, do they solve them better than the actual fields do? If not, what problems do they solve?

Comment author: TheAncientGeek 19 April 2015 09:02:18AM *  -2 points [-]

Do these things solve problems in physics or in mathematics?

Are those the topic of the discussion? No.

If not, what problems do they solve?

Philosophical problems arising from the non philosophical fields mentioned.

Note the doube whammy. Physics can't solve the average philosophical problem, and also can't solve the problems arising from physics,

Comment author: dxu 19 April 2015 08:05:58PM *  2 points [-]

Philosophical problems arising from the non philosophical fields mentioned.

Like?

EDIT: Also, why should I care about these so-called philosophical problems?

also can't solve the problems arising from physics

Citation needed.

Comment author: TheAncientGeek 20 April 2015 01:38:37PM *  0 points [-]

Philosophical problems arising from the non philosophical fields mentioned.

Like?

See here and here.

Also, why should I care about these so-called philosophical problems?

"Philosophy isnt doing well enough at solving its problems compared to a realistic alternative" doesn't follow from "I don't care about philosophical problems".

also can't solve the [philosophical] problems arising from physics

Citation needed.

Well, those disciplines exist. Maybe some evidence that they dont need to is required.