Why Study Philosophy?
to learn how to think well, have reason, think independently and be able to connect the dots across multiple disciplines
can apply ethics
being able to identify your own values
learn how to critically evaluate your and other’s arguments
Understanding the Importance of Values
fundamental beliefs that guide our actions, decisions, and who we are
shape priorities and influence behavior
they provide a sense of purpose and meaning
values that mean a lot to me
love, wealth, honesty, empathy
Evaluating Arguments
inductive arguments make the conclusion probable
deductive arguments aim to guarantee the conclusion
the premises logically entail the conclusion if an argument is deductive
most philosophical arguments are deductive
typically divided into premises and conclusions
modus ponens: 1. If P then Q 2. P 3. Therefore Q
a test for validity is only if the premises are true, then the conclusion is tru
a test for soundness is whether the test for validity is met and all the premises are true
Valid and sound argument: P1. All cats are mammals, P2. Spaghetti is a cat, C. Therefore, Spaghetti is a mammal.
philosophers use a lot of examples because humans have an idea of what theyd do with their values, but another of what theyd actually in a given scenario
Understanding Philosophy by Michael Hannon & James Nguyen (AI)
Key Thesis
Philosophy's primary intellectual aim is understanding, not discovering true answers to philosophical questions.
Many aspects of philosophical practice become intelligible when viewed through the lens of understanding.
Puzzles About Philosophy
Philosophers often disagree radically on fundamental issues (e.g., free will, morality, artistic merit).
Philosophy has failed to settle its central questions despite millennia of inquiry.
Academic hiring committees and student evaluations do not prioritize the truth or falsity of philosophical views.
Philosophical disagreement and lack of truth-convergence challenge the idea that philosophy aims at discovering true answers.
Features of Understanding
Holistic: Directed toward bodies of information, not isolated propositions.
Pluralistic: Multiple routes to understanding, even if incompatible.
Non-factive: Compatible with false beliefs contributing to understanding.
Related to Explanation: Understanding often involves grasping explanatory relationships.
Requires Ability: Includes cognitive control, inferential skills, and know-how.
Non-testimonial: Cannot be transmitted solely through testimony.
The Epistemic Aim of Philosophy
Philosophical Progress
Philosophy progresses by increasing understanding, not truth-convergence.
Thought experiments (e.g., Descartes’s evil demon, Nozick’s experience machine) deepen understanding without providing definitive truths.
Philosophical tools clarify concepts, uncover complexities, and eliminate implausible views.
Expertise
Philosophical expertise involves cognitive abilities like detecting invalid inferences, evaluating theories, and understanding concepts—not necessarily knowing true answers.
Philosophical Testimony
Philosophical claims are rarely accepted based on testimony alone.
Understanding requires intellectual autonomy and cannot be transmitted via testimony.
Hiring Practices
Truth or falsity of a candidate’s philosophical views is irrelevant in academic hiring.
Philosophical diversity in departments enhances understanding by providing multiple perspectives.
Student Evaluation
Students are graded on their ability to argue and demonstrate understanding, not on the truth of their conclusions.
Diametrically opposed conclusions can both exhibit deep understanding.
Systematicity
Philosophers value systematic projects (e.g., David Lewis’s modal realism) for their ability to connect and explain diverse issues, even if the theories are false.
Disagreement
Philosophical disagreements often "bottom out" when interlocutors understand each other's perspectives without resolving fundamental differences.
This practice contributes to understanding rather than truth-convergence.
Objections and Replies
Is Understanding a Consolation Prize?
Understanding is not secondary to truth; it is the primary aim of philosophy.
Philosophical practices align more with the pursuit of understanding than truth.
Is Philosophy Worthwhile?
Philosophical understanding is epistemically valuable and meaningful to those who pursue it.
Thought experiment: Most philosophers would prefer understanding over opaque truth.
Does Understanding Require Truth?
Non-factivist view: Understanding can involve falsehoods (e.g., scientific models, thought experiments).
Factivist view: Philosophical understanding can still be achieved through true dependency relations and systematic knowledge, even if specific theories are false.
Conclusion
Philosophy aims at understanding, which explains its practices and counters skepticism about its value.
Philosophical disagreement, systematicity, and intellectual autonomy are better understood through this lens.
Philosophical understanding is valuable, even in the absence of truth-convergence.
Takeaways
Philosophy is not about finding definitive truths but about fostering deeper understanding of complex issues.
Philosophical practices like disagreement, diversity, and systematicity align with the goal of understanding.
Understanding is epistemically valuable and central to the discipline.