Not sure it’s motte-and-bailey. I do think there are several serious pathologies in large swathes of contemporary philosophy. And I say this not as a dilettante, but a professional philosopher. There are areas of philosophy where these pathological tendencies are being successfully held at bay, and I do think there are promising signs that those areas are growing in influence. But much of mainstream philosophy, especially mainstream metaphysics and epistemology, does suffer from continued adherence to what I consider archaic and unhelpful methodology. And I think that’s what Luke is trying to point out. He does go overboard with his rhetoric, and I think he lacks a feel for the genuine insights of the Western philosophical tradition (as smart and insightful as I think Yudkowsky is, I really find it odd that someone who purports to be reasonably familar with philosophy would cite him as their favorite philosopher). But I think there is a sound point lurking under there, and not merely a banal “motte”-style point.
I was only pointing out in response to the OP that I have been harping on LW’s silly anti-academic sentiment for ages, that’s all.
I absolutely agree with you on the silliness of the anti-academic sentiment.
But much of mainstream philosophy, especially mainstream metaphysics and epistemology, does suffer from continued adherence to what I consider archaic and unhelpful methodology.
Would you mind explaining your perspective? I’m always interested to hear more angles on this, since with my current sample-size being roughly three (Dennett, Railton, Churchland), I tend to think I have an incomplete picture.
Everyone on LW should consider Francis Bacon their patron saint, imo :).
LW seems to have picked the Presbyterian minister Thomas Bayes as its patron saint with the Franciscan friar William of Ockham running a close second :-)
Not sure it’s motte-and-bailey. I do think there are several serious pathologies in large swathes of contemporary philosophy. And I say this not as a dilettante, but a professional philosopher. There are areas of philosophy where these pathological tendencies are being successfully held at bay, and I do think there are promising signs that those areas are growing in influence. But much of mainstream philosophy, especially mainstream metaphysics and epistemology, does suffer from continued adherence to what I consider archaic and unhelpful methodology. And I think that’s what Luke is trying to point out. He does go overboard with his rhetoric, and I think he lacks a feel for the genuine insights of the Western philosophical tradition (as smart and insightful as I think Yudkowsky is, I really find it odd that someone who purports to be reasonably familar with philosophy would cite him as their favorite philosopher). But I think there is a sound point lurking under there, and not merely a banal “motte”-style point.
I absolutely agree with you on the silliness of the anti-academic sentiment.
Would you mind explaining your perspective? I’m always interested to hear more angles on this, since with my current sample-size being roughly three (Dennett, Railton, Churchland), I tend to think I have an incomplete picture.
Everyone on LW should consider Francis Bacon their patron saint, imo :).
LW seems to have picked the Presbyterian minister Thomas Bayes as its patron saint with the Franciscan friar William of Ockham running a close second :-)
If I had to pick one, I’d go with Laplace.