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Single Idea 6851

[filed under theme 1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 5. Aims of Philosophy / e. Philosophy as reason ]

Full Idea

We encourage students to be concerned with whether an argument is valid or not, and we don't encourage them much to consider the question of whether the argument is interesting or not.

Gist of Idea

We overvalue whether arguments are valid, and undervalue whether they are interesting

Source

Ray Monk (Interview with Baggini and Stangroom [2001], p.16)

Book Ref

Baggini,J/Stangroom,J: 'New British Philosophy' [Routledge 2002], p.16

A Reaction

What do you make of arguments which are very interesting, but (unfortunately) totally invalid? That said, this is a nice comment. A philosopher cannot contemplate too long or too deeply on the question of what is really 'interesting'.

The 18 ideas with the same theme [philosophy explores where reason take us]:

15447 We shouldn't always follow where the argument leads! [Lewis on Plato]
23767 The winds of the discussion should decide its destination [Plato]
5891 Philosophy is the collection of rational arguments [Cicero]
17240 Definitions are the first step in philosophy [Hobbes]
5631 Reason is only interested in knowledge, actions and hopes [Kant]
21406 Because there is only one human reason, there can only be one true philosophy from principles [Kant]
6184 Consistency is the highest obligation of a philosopher [Kant]
21753 If we look at the world rationally, the world assumes a rational aspect [Hegel]
19241 An idea on its own isn't an idea, because they are continuous systems [Peirce]
24143 Thinkers might agree some provisional truths, as methodological assumptions [Nietzsche]
17641 Discoveries in mathematics can challenge philosophy, and offer it a new foundation [Russell]
5189 Philosophers should abandon speculation, as philosophy is wholly critical [Ayer]
21896 Philosophy aims to build foundations for thought [Derrida, by May]
15209 Like disastrous small errors in navigation, small misunderstandings can wreck intellectual life [Harré/Madden]
9808 Philosophy aims to reveal the grandeur of mathematics [Badiou]
6851 We overvalue whether arguments are valid, and undervalue whether they are interesting [Monk]
9593 Progress in philosophy is incremental, not an immature seeking after drama [Williamson]
6855 Interesting philosophers hardly every give you explicitly valid arguments [Martin,M]