US universities/colleges still suck

[GePap]

The notion that truth can be achieved through empirical observation and experimentation, the very point of science, is a philosophical notion. All science is a subset of philosophy. Hence why you get a Doctorate of Philosophy in any of the Sciences.

[Fake Boris]

Frankly, I'd rather live under some "unenlightened" government at our level of technology than the most democratic, liberal society conceivable at the ancient Greeks' level of technology...

You forget that even "poor" Athenian citizens owned a few slaves each.

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by GePap
The notion that truth can be achieved through empirical observation and experimentation, the very point of science, is a philosophical notion. All science is a subset of philosophy.

Way too many scientists don't bother thinking about it

[Fake Boris]

Like Asher, who seems to think that the scientific method came out of nowhere.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Oncle Boris
Like Asher, who seems to think that the scientific method came out of nowhere.

I never said anything of the sort.

My beef has always been with teaching Philosophy today at a university level, employing people who like Agathon -- who very obviously do not deserve such employment.

[Agathon]

And how successful have philosophers been in offering solutions , like computer scientists do , to this problem/question ? Science has given us concrete models on which we can base our technology . Can you give us an accurate model for life.

OK. You are dying of cancer and are more terrified than you have been in your entire life, so much so that you can hardly focus on anything.

Which is more likely to help you. I mean really help, not just distract you. Epictetus, or a copy of Doom III?

Guess what doctors do in these situations? It's called something like cognitive therapy and it is basically what Epictetus does.

[Agathon]

Frankly, I'd rather live under some "unenlightened" government at our level of technology than the most democratic, liberal society conceivable at the ancient Greeks' level of technology...

Really? I'd rather live in Athens. I want some of what those guys were smoking (and a shot at Phryne too).

[Asher]

Originally posted by Agathon
OK. You are dying of cancer and are more terrified than you have been in your entire life, so much so that you can hardly focus on anything.

Which is more likely to help you. I mean really help, not just distract you. Epictetus, or a copy of Doom III?

Guess what doctors do in these situations? It's called something like cognitive therapy and it is basically what Epictetus does.

Or maybe you'd be more appreciative of the treatments that are given to you to save your life/ease your pain that were done via computer simulations and research.

I don't think you understand how far-reaching computer science is. It does far more than make toys and games.

IBM is the second largest software company in the world, and the vast majority of people haven't heard of most of their products, for instance.

You lack the depth of thought to be a philosopher, or a computer scientist. That's why you're a glorified history teacher for freshmen.

[pchang]

or you could call Genentech and get something like Rituxan and cure the cancer

[Agathon]

The kind of philosophy I study is intended to help us to deal with things that technology can't ever fix.

On the other hand, that's just one aspect of it (and not the one we emphasize to students). The rest is pretty analytical stuff.

[Agathon]

Or maybe you'd be more appreciative of the treatments that are given to you to save your life/ease your pain that were done via computer simulations and research.

I certainly was when my father was dying, but that's not enough and it never will be.

You lack the depth of thought to be a philosopher, or a computer scientist. That's why you're a glorified history teacher for freshmen.

I don't think it is I that lack the depth of thought. Rather it is that you are incapable of examining your own beliefs dispassionately.

[Asher]

Let's put it this way:

Tell Computer Scientists to take a year off, and see what happens to the world.

Tell Philosophers to take a year off, and see what happens to the world.

[Agathon]

Let's put it this way:

Tell Computer Scientists to take a year off, and see what happens to the world.

Tell Philosophers to take a year off, and see what happens to the world.

One year more until the revolution....

[pchang]

You know....
I think Agathon is really Asher's DL and he gets his jollies by arguing with himself on Poly....

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by pchang
You know....
I think Agathon is really Asher's DL and he gets his jollies by arguing with himself on Poly....

That would be amazing.