Recent Responses
I have heard the saying "the beginning of wisdom is the definition of terms" attributed to Socrates. I can't find a dependable source for this (or for attributing it to anyone else) Can you point me to a source or let me know if you believe this attribution to be invalid ? Thanks !
Nickolas Pappas
May 23, 2013
(changed May 23, 2013)
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When I saw your question the phrase struck me as unknown in Plato’s writings. That doesn’t necessarily mean anything, so I did a search through all his dialogues looking for some plausible Greek analogue to “beginning of wisdom.” I did not find your quote. I did notice, in the process, that it... Read more
How would a philosopher of math describe what happened when ancient mathematicians discovered (?) the number zero?
Stephen Maitzen
May 23, 2013
(changed May 23, 2013)
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I think the answer will depend on which philosopher of math you ask. As you seem to recognize, some philosophers of math deny that numbers exist independently of us in such a way that their existence is genuinely discovered by us. Even philosophers of math who think that numbers are discovered mi... Read more
How would a philosopher of math describe what happened when ancient mathematicians discovered (?) the number zero?
Stephen Maitzen
May 23, 2013
(changed May 23, 2013)
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I think the answer will depend on which philosopher of math you ask. As you seem to recognize, some philosophers of math deny that numbers exist independently of us in such a way that their existence is genuinely discovered by us. Even philosophers of math who think that numbers are discovered mi... Read more
For a philosophy student, what is the best language to learn? Particulary, a student interested in moral and political philosophy, and epistemology too. I think is english, and that's why I'm already learning it. If I'm right, what is the best after english? I'm a spanish native speaker.
Charles Taliaferro
May 18, 2013
(changed May 18, 2013)
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Great question! Your choice of language may depend on your philosophical interests. If you are interested in Greco-Roman and philosophy in late Antiquity and Medieval philosophy, then Greek and Latin would be excellent. If you are interested in Indian or Hindu philosophy sanscrit would be b... Read more
When arguing about the existence of God, the vast majority of arguments I have ever run into always go to the point of asking for evidence. With that word in use they are implying the physical manifestation of evidence to prove God true and, as a theist, that is not how God works in relation to what we are taught. Must evidence, in a physical form or with science backing its existence, be truly necessary to believe in the idea of the supernatural?
Charles Taliaferro
May 18, 2013
(changed May 18, 2013)
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Thank you for this inquiry! The idea that all our beliefs, religious or not, must have sufficient evidence is sometimes called "evidentialism." It is much debated today: some philosophers think there is no uncontroversial domain of what may or may not count as evidence nor, if we did agree o... Read more
I have an equal opportunity to do 2 jobs, and must choose between them, and can only choose 1. The first job would help other people and help humanity to some degree but I would enjoy it far less though I have the aptitude and qualifications for it. The second, which I have slightly less aptitude and qualifications for (I would have to go through a period of training), is purely creative and would not directly help anyone. But I would love it far more. Do I have a duty to choose one over the other?
Allen Stairs
May 16, 2013
(changed May 16, 2013)
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There are some ethical views that would say you have a duty here. A ham-fisted version of Utilitarianism, for example, might say that you should figure out if taking the job you don't prefer would do more good overall. If so, this crude doctrine would continue, you should take that job all the same.... Read more
Are colors subjective or objective or both?
Andrew Pessin
May 16, 2013
(changed May 16, 2013)
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A deep rich complicated question! A short (too short) answer would go with both, depending what you mean by 'color.' There are subjective aspects to color (perceived color), and there are objective aspects (physical properties, light properties, etc.). The big question of course is just how these t... Read more
Are colors subjective or objective or both?
Andrew Pessin
May 16, 2013
(changed May 16, 2013)
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A deep rich complicated question! A short (too short) answer would go with both, depending what you mean by 'color.' There are subjective aspects to color (perceived color), and there are objective aspects (physical properties, light properties, etc.). The big question of course is just how these t... Read more
What do you call this type of argument? Stephen Hawking recently boycotted a prestigious Israeli academic conference, and many were quick to call him a hypocrite: "If you’re going to boycott Israel, please remove the Intel chip that allows you to speak" I was just wondering if there was a name for this type of argument? Thanks in advance.
Andrew Pessin
May 16, 2013
(changed May 16, 2013)
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This is a really excellent question, and a complicated issue. First coming to mind might be the ad hominem fallacy, if you take the argument to be something like "because you are a hypocrite, your position vis a vis boycotting should be rejected." But I don't think that many of the people who have... Read more
It is known that our thoughts are energy and originate from the mind. Our mind and thoughts are seperate from our brains and our physical body. So my question is what keeps the whole unit together, what's keeps our thoughts and mind attached to our physical brain and body?
Allen Stairs
May 16, 2013
(changed May 16, 2013)
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You say "Our minds and thoughts are separate from our brains and our physical bodies," but in fact that's controversial, and I dare say that most of the philosophers on this panel don't believe it. Roughly, the view that's widely held among philosophers these days is that thinking, feeling, etc. are... Read more