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Single Idea 15447

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

Full Idea

There comes a time not to go on following where the argument leads!

Gist of Idea

We shouldn't always follow where the argument leads!

Source

comment on Plato (The Laws [c.348 BCE], 667b) by David Lewis - Against Structural Universals 'Variant'

Book Ref

Lewis,David: 'Papers in Metaphysics and Epistemology' [CUP 1999], p.100


A Reaction

Lewis is a fine one to talk, since he follows argument that take him past innumerable incredulous stares of onlookers.

Related Idea

Idea 241 We ought to follow where the argument leads us [Plato]


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

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