Mentioning Phil phD's

[Asher]

I've got to go to bed now.
But I leave you with a random publication from one of my CS profs to contrast to those listed in the link Vagabond provided: http://pages.cpsc.ucalgary.ca/~eberl...ius_report.pdf

Compare and constrast the styles, and what the purpose is.

[Rogan Josh]

When I first posted in this thread (right at the beginning) I was under the impression that it was a simple rant, so my post was meant somewhat tongue-in-cheek. Please let me point out now that my PhD is not in 'philosophy' (it is in physics) - I was merely pointing out that the title PhD is latin for 'Doctor of philosophy'.

Anyway, I certainly do not think that philosophy, arts or the humanities are useless. They are just as important as science. Although I would not like to live in a world without electricity, I would also not like to live in a world without literature or music. I think it is important to study social interactions of our society, and for that matter the social interaction of ancient Rome.

I think that perhaps the problem is that there are often widely publicised arts or humanities projects which are completely useless (like determining whether lesbians have a predisposition towards jelly-babies) which make us think that all arts or humanities projects are equally useless. As these projects are about subjects that we think we know something about, we feel free to critique them.

But there are a lot of scientific papers out there which are complete and utter garbage - it is just that the general public does not see them and even if they did wouldn't understand how crap they were.

[CyberGnu]

You really have no clue what people in the humanities are trained to do, do you?

Write poetry about clouds all day, I suppose is your opinion.

The humanities are about arguement, not math. The humanities are about people, not concrete. The humanities are about evaluating theories, not proving theorems.

Now, of course the sciences and engineering have their places, but so too do the humanities. Those who suggest otherwise are fairly ignorant. btw, Philosophy is a branch of the humanities.

Is this supposed to be the answer to my question?

If so, I have no clue what you are talking about.

[CyberGnu]

Anyway, I certainly do not think that philosophy, arts or the humanities are useless. They are just as important as science. Although I would not like to live in a world without electricity, I would also not like to live in a world without literature or music. I think it is important to study social interactions of our society, and for that matter the social interaction of ancient Rome.

Rogan, none of the examples you mention is in the field of philosophy.

So the argument still stands, doesn't it?

[notyoueither]

I wouldn't suppose you would know.

[CyberGnu]

Do you have anything to say, apart from insults?

[CyberGnu]

Rogan, I think you touch on an important point here, though.

If we all admit that philosophy is useless for all practical purposes, we can lump it in with fields such as music and drama. Basically, entertainment.

So, if you think that music should be publically financed, well then it would be consistent to think philosophy should be financed as well. I'm guessing that Asher would think not, though. And so would I. Although, if someone can supply me with an argument as to why entertainment should be publically financed, please do.

[The Vagabond]

Asher, you are too fast and impatient. You just have a glance at a paper and make hasty judgements. It should be read slowly and thoughtfully.

The paper by your prof. looks nice. But it doesn't make philosophical papers look bad, if that was your intention. These are just different subjects.

Explain, please...

How does it benefit from philosophical outlook?

It's about interpretations. Interpretations don't affect the hard-science apparatus, but help our understanding.

[CyberGnu]

Notyou: I guess not.

Well, it seems I was wrong. There is a difference in even the non-technical skills between a history major and an engineer.

If the argumentative skills presented here are an indication of your education, notyou, I would love to read some of your college exams.

notyou - The first Punic war started because totempole lawnmower followed by two cans of beer.

teacher - I don't understand your answer

notyou - You are stupid


Luckily I do know that you are not representative. Boshko, please come and rescue your field from ridicule!!!!!!!!!!

[CyberGnu]

Vagabond:

Interpretations don't affect the hard-science apparatus, but help our understanding.

Who is "our"?

[The Vagabond]

Humanity as a whole, or its most enlightened part.

[CyberGnu]

Ahh

Well, as I wrote before: I know of no scientist who read philosophy on the side. I'm currently working for the worlds foremost scientist in applied computational chemistry, and he certainly doesn't read any philo... He doesn't have the time, since he does chemistry 16 hours a day

And as far as the masses go, they rely on technical writers. These people are journalists. Their training is to explain science to people without the background knowledge and tehcnical vocabulary.

At no point do I find a philosopher in there....

[Rogan Josh]

Originally posted by CyberGnu
Rogan, none of the examples you mention is in the field of philosophy.

I was on the point of delving into a discussion of the philosophical implications of quantum mechanics, but then realised I didn't know enough philosophy to do it justice.

Well, as I wrote before: I know of no scientist who read philosophy on the side.

I do.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by notyoueither


You mean like Newton?

Newton's philosophy was crap, yes.

It's a shame he spent so much time on alchemy and theology. What a waste...

[KrazyHorse]

professional philosophers

If philosophers are so great at reasoning they should consider switching fields and becoming logicians, who actually end up proving things instead of sputtering back and forth...