I see no way to formulate, in terms of observable concepts, what it would even mean for such a skeptic to be right or wrong.
Hmm, but why should Aaronson restrict himself to understanding the skeptic's objection in terms of observable concepts (I assume he means something like 'empirical concepts')? I mean, we have good reason to operate within empiricism where we can, but it seems to me you're not allowed to let your methodology screen off a question entirely. That's bad philosophical practice.
That's bad philosophical practice.
True, I agree that philosophers are uniquely equipped to see an "unanswerable" riddle as a whole, having learned the multitude of attempts to attack such a riddle from various directions throughout history. However, I see as one of the more useful tasks a philosopher can do with her unique perspective is what Scott Aaronson suggests: "break off an answerable question", figure out which branch of the natural science is best equipped to tackle it, and pass it along to the area experts. Pass along and n...
Another month has passed and here is a new rationality quotes thread. The usual rules are: