CORA DIAMOND and JAMES CONANT (hosted by Niklas Forsberg)
Apr 18, 2019
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Philosophers Cora Diamond and James Conant discuss the interconnectedness of philosophical topics and the importance of studying philosophy. They explore understanding opponents' perspectives, the role of conclusions and confusion in philosophy, philosophy as a way of life, engaging with the history of philosophy, and the importance of graduate programs in philosophy.
Having a broad philosophical interest is essential for understanding the interconnectedness of different philosophical problems and areas of inquiry.
Philosophy should not be divided into separate sub-disciplines with distinct subject matters, but rather philosophical problems should be individuated based on their form.
Understanding the relationship between ethical and logical issues is crucial for avoiding confusion and promoting a deeper understanding of ethics.
Deep dives
The Broad Scope of Philosophical Interests
Both James Conant and Cora Diamond discuss how their interest in philosophy covers a wide range of topics, such as philosophy of language, mind, ethics, aesthetics, and politics. They attribute their broad interests to their experiences as teachers and the need to develop ways of thinking about various subjects. The speakers suggest that having a broad philosophical interest is essential for understanding the interconnectedness of different philosophical problems and areas of inquiry.
The Unity and Heterogeneity of Philosophy
Conant and Diamond argue that philosophy should not be seen as divided into separate and self-contained sub-disciplines with distinct subject matters. They contend that attempting to classify philosophy into narrow categories undermines its nature and contradicts its purpose. Instead, the speakers advocate for individuating philosophical problems based on their form rather than their subject matter. They assert that philosophy involves heterogeneous problems that cannot be neatly compartmentalized and often overlap with different areas of inquiry.
The Intersection of Ethics and Logic
Conant and Diamond discuss the similarities between ethical and logical issues, particularly in recognizing instances where positions seem incompatible or misplaced. They highlight how ethical problems can resemble logical problems, where certain lines of reasoning fail to give meaningful accounts or solutions. They present examples like Philippa Foot's criticism of utilitarianism, emphasizing how certain ways of thinking in ethics can resemble logical problems of failing to assign meaning to statements. The speakers highlight the importance of understanding the relationship between ethical and logical issues to avoid confusion and promote a deeper understanding of ethics.
Embracing the Diversity of Philosophy
In the podcast episode, the hosts discuss the importance of embracing the diversity of philosophy. They highlight the need for philosophers to be open to different approaches and perspectives, rather than adhering to a single doctrine or set of views. They argue that philosophy should not be limited to certain topics or methods, but should instead encompass a wide range of ideas and inquiries. The hosts emphasize that philosophy thrives on the existence of diverse philosophical voices and that the field benefits from engaging with various forms of thinking.
Challenges in Graduate Philosophical Education
The hosts also delve into the topic of graduate philosophical education. They question the idea of setting up a standardized graduate program, advocating instead for programs that foster individuality and allow students to explore their own philosophical interests. They emphasize the importance of faculty members being supportive of students' unique philosophical pursuits, even if they don't align with the traditional curriculum. The hosts believe that graduate programs should encourage breadth of literacy and diverse forms of thinking, while also preparing students to engage with a wider philosophical audience beyond academia.
Niklas Forsberg, the Head of Research for the Centre for Ethics at the University of Pardubice, hosts Cora Diamond and James Conant for a lengthy discussion following their Truth in Ethics intensive seminar, which took place October 19-21 of 2018.
"[I]t is my firm conviction that despite its real or apparent division into departments, philosophy is one subject, a single discipline. By this I do not merely mean that between different areas of philosophy there are cross-references, as when, for example, one encounters in ethics the problem whether such and such principles fall within the epistemological classification of a priori knowledge. I mean (or hope I mean) something a good deal stronger than this, something more like the thesis that it is not possible to reach full understanding of, or high level proficiency in, any one department without a corresponding understanding and proficiency in the others; to the extent that when I visit an unfamiliar university and (as occasionally happens) I am introduced to, ‘Mr Puddle, our man in Political Philosophy’ (or in ‘Nineteenth-century continental philosophy’ or ‘Aesthetics’, as the case may be), I am immediately confident that either Mr Puddle is being under-described and in consequence maligned, or else Mr Puddle is not really good at his stuff. Philosophy, like virtue, is entire. Or, one might even dare to say, there is only one problem in philosophy, namely all of them."
(Paul Grice, "Reply to Richards” (in Richard Grandy and Richard Warner, eds., Philosophical Grounds of Rationality (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1986), p. 64.
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