display all the ideas for this combination of texts
2 ideas
5196 | Philosophy is a department of logic [Ayer] |
Full Idea: Philosophy is a department of logic. | |
From: A.J. Ayer (Language,Truth and Logic [1936], Ch.2) | |
A reaction: Personally I would invert that. Philosophy is concerned with human rationality, of which precise logic appears to be a rather limited subdivision. I see philosophy as the 'master' subject, not the 'servant' subject (as Locke had implied). |
5189 | Philosophers should abandon speculation, as philosophy is wholly critical [Ayer] |
Full Idea: We can overthrow speculative philosophy, and see that the function of philosophy is wholly critical. | |
From: A.J. Ayer (Language,Truth and Logic [1936], Ch.2) | |
A reaction: This seems to imply that we CAN speculate, which appeared to be rendered impossible by the verification principle. Personally I think speculation is central to philosophy, but Ayer should always stand as a warning against bogus truth-claims. |