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Single Idea 9593

[from 'The Philosophy of Philosophy' by Timothy Williamson, in 1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 5. Aims of Philosophy / e. Philosophy as reason ]

Full Idea

The incremental progress which I envisage for philosophy lacks the drama after which some philosophers still hanker, and that hankering is itself a symptom of the intellectual immaturity that helps hold philosophy back.

Gist of Idea

Progress in philosophy is incremental, not an immature seeking after drama

Source

Timothy Williamson (The Philosophy of Philosophy [2007], Intro)

Book Reference

Williamson,Timothy: 'The Philosophy of Philosophy' [Blackwell 2007], p.8


A Reaction

This could stand as a motto for the whole current profession of analytical philosophy. It means that if anyone attempts to be dramatic they can make their own way out. They'll find Kripke out there, smoking behind the dustbins.