Wednesday, September 30, 2009

res ipsa loquitur 093009

Professor Althouse delivers a smackdown to a philosopher who engages in sloppy thinking, which seems to be contrary to the typical job description of a philosopher.

No, really? ACORN involved in voter fraud?

Another fair question that's related and a lot closer to home.

Rep. Alan Grayson explains it all to you. He's full of ideas, too.

4 comments:

my name is Amanda said...

Though I'm in complete agreement with the core of what Althouse is saying, what does it matter whether a person is a philospher, if they don't appear to be applying any particular philosophy to justify releasing Polanski?

Mr. D said...

I think it matters because we'd expect a philosopher to have a well thought-out, disciplined and systematic worldview. And in this case, we're looking at either (a) a knee-jerk reaction or (b) a worldview that is repellent. The term would be droit du seigneur and I sincerely hope that a modern philosopher would be past that sort of thing, no?

Anonymous said...

Mark,
you expect a modern French philosopher to have a well thought-out, disciplined and systematic worldview? Youve read Foucault...you should know better.

And for the record, Grayson is a jackass who should apologize. He is also obviously delusional, because he thinks Disney World is the happiest place on earth, while anyone else who has been there knows that it is the 6th ring of hell.

Rich

Mr. D said...

Youve read Foucault...you should know better.

LOL. Got me there, Rich.