Philosophy For Our Times How To Do Philosophy and Why | Timothy Williamson
11 snips
Feb 11, 2020 
Timothy Williamson, Wickham Professor of Logic at the University of Oxford, dives into the complexities of philosophy. He discusses how student confusion can signal deeper engagement and clarity. Williamson highlights philosophy's role in teaching analytic tools, like the importance of understanding necessary versus sufficient conditions. He uses Alan Turing's work to showcase logic's practical applications and debates as a vital method for refining ideas, while addressing the shift towards inclusivity in philosophical discussions.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Lean Into Confusion When Learning
- Don't mistake initial confusion for failure; it's often a sign of proper engagement with hard philosophy.
- Persisting through confusion can lead to a much clearer state of mind about difficult topics.
Philosophy As A Thinking Toolkit
- Philosophy supplies a toolkit for analysing very general issues like necessary vs sufficient conditions.
- Using these distinctions exposes assumptions and clarifies what authors actually mean.
Logic Has Proper Limits
- Studying logic reveals its limits as well as its strengths in addressing questions beyond purely formal ones.
- Logic must be combined with domain knowledge to tackle complex ethical or political issues.
