Annoyance comments on A Parable On Obsolete Ideologies - Less Wrong

113 Post author: Yvain 13 May 2009 10:51PM

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Comment author: Annoyance 15 May 2009 04:22:08PM 4 points [-]

It seemed to me at the time that if philosophy was the pursuit of truth in any sense then it would be better served by a model of instruction more like science

The fact that philosophy hasn't adopted such a model strongly suggests that it's not concerned with truth.

There are people who can do good philosophy - contrary to thomblake's assertion, I've found that they're virtually never people called 'philosophers'. They're usually scientists.

Comment author: Annoyance 15 May 2009 04:31:25PM -1 points [-]

I would be fascinated to know why the above comment garnered two downvotes so quickly.

Comment author: thomblake 15 May 2009 04:37:52PM 3 points [-]

My guess would be that people aren't aware of the discourse you've been involved in regarding "philosophy" vs "academic philosophy". As stated, it seems like you're expressing something contradictory. Compare:

"philosophy...[is] not concerned with truth"
"people who can do good philosophy...[are] usually scientists"

You seem to be equivocating. In the first sense, I think you mean "academic philosophy" (the institution), while in the second, you mean... well, philosophy (love of wisdom / pursuit of truith).

Though I'd be surprised if anyone actually thought it through that clearly before downvoting.

Comment author: MrHen 15 May 2009 05:55:42PM 1 point [-]

My downvote was because I consider this sentence to be noise and inflammatory:

The fact that philosophy hasn't adopted such a model strongly suggests that it's not concerned with truth.

... And this sentence is anecdotal and coming from what I judge to be a biased position:

There are people who can do good philosophy - contrary to thomblake's assertion, I've found that they're virtually never people called 'philosophers'. They're usually scientists.

I downvoted but did not comment because any direct response in the lines of argument seem likely to delve into semantics on the definitions of philosopher, philosophy, scientist, and science. Also, on a more personal note, I have yet to get any meaningful value from a conversation with you. For whatever reason, my fault or yours, it is not worth my time.

Comment author: Annoyance 16 May 2009 02:02:55AM 1 point [-]

My downvote was because I consider this sentence to be noise and inflammatory:

'Inflammatory' I could understand, although I submit that simple truth assertions ought not to be evaluated by looking at their social acceptability.

But calling it noise is just silly.

For whatever reason, my fault or yours, it is not worth my time.

Then stop replying to me, please. And voting on my posts as well.