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  • Why Logical Positivism is not Dead
    I have a different answer: don't good verbal arguments exist? I.e., as in law, politics, or philosophy? Positivism assumes that the only sound arguments are either mathematical or empirical, but have they never experienced a convincing verbal argument? And if it's all just 'metaphysics' or 'language games,' then what separates such reasoning from astrology or shear pseudoscience? Surely there is a difference...
  • Say You're Grading a Philosophy Essay
    To those who think that there is no such formula, consider the "GRE Analytical Writing" section...
  • Philosophical Answers to Questions about Wisdom
    I just realized something about my questions: the phrasing of the questions is not clear; do I mean hypothetically, do I mean for all practical purposes, or am I talking in absolute terms (note: this type of problem often applies to philosophy in general)?

    For instance, consider the question with respect to what the best thing is that could happen to a person:

    Practically, it could mean something like having "good luck" or having your "big dream" come true.

    Hypothetically, it could mean having great, great fortune - e.g. all of your dreams come true.

    In absolute terms, it could mean that every moment of every day of a person's existence is maximized for happiness - i.e., "infinite happiness."

    I now realize that there is something deceptive about the questions, but I suppose that you can answer as you wish...
  • Does reality require an observer?
    No: again: an observer doesn't even generally 'require' a reality to observe either. I.e., Descartes' Meditations. So scratch all of that...
  • Does reality require an observer?
    On second thought, maybe the 'observer' is in something like the Matrix, and the observer isn't observing something 'real.' Then my conclusion isn't true. But I would say that maybe it is generally true...
  • Does reality require an observer?
    I think that debate confuses something: we can't have an observer without a reality to go along with it; what would such an observer then be "observing?" But we can have a reality without an observer; the universe existed long before anyone inhabited it. Was it not in some sense a 'reality' at that time? In a nutshell, that is my answer (not trying to be a smarty aleck, either.).
  • Philosophical Answers to Questions about Wisdom
    I mean in general. I don't think it is possible to identify every variable with respect to anything in philosophy. What are the answers for you?