This is what I mean when I say that hypotheses are “axioms”, and physical experiments are “conclusions”.
I see. You’re right that philosophers pretty much never do anything like that. Except experimental philosophers, but thus far most of that stuff is just terrible.
“In the framework that I’m working in...”
That’s a good framework with with to approach any philosophical text, including and especially the Platonic dialogues. I just wanted to stress the fact that the dialogues aren’t treatises presented in a funny way. You’re supposed to argue with Socrates, against him, yell at his interlocutors, try to patch up the arguments with premises of your own. It’s very different from, say, Aristotle or Kant or whatever, where its a guy presenting a theory.
In the field of philosophy, from my limited knowledge, I think that these discussions lead to conclusions that we need to believe as “truth”
Would you mind if I go on for a bit? I have thoughts on this, but I don’t quite know how to present them briefly. Anyway:
Students of Physics should go into a Physics class room or book with an open mind. They should be ready to learn new things about the world, often surprising things (relative to their naive impressions) and should often try to check their prejudices at the door. None of us are born knowing physics. It’s something we have to go out and learn.
Philosophy isn’t like that. The right attitude walking into a philosophy classroom is irritation. It is an inherently annoying subject, and its practitioners are even worse. You can’t learn philosophy, and you can’t become an expert at it. You can’t even become good at it. Being a philosopher is no accomplishment whatsoever. You can just do philosophy, and anyone can do it. Intelligence is good, but it can be a hindrance too, same with education.
Doing philosophy means asking questions about things to which you really ought to already know the answers, like the difference between right and wrong, whether or not you’re in control of your actions, what change is, what existing is, etc. Philosophy is about asking questions to which we ought to have the answers, but don’t.
We do philosophy by talking to each other. If that means running an experiment, good. If that means just arguing, fine. There’s no method, no standards, and no body of knowledge, unless you say there is, and then convince someone, and then there is until someone convinces you otherwise.
Scientists and mathematicians don’t hate philosophy. They tend to love philosophers, or at least the older ones do. Young scientists and mathematicians do hate philosophers, and with good reason: part of being a young scientist or mathematician is developing a refined mental self-discipline, and that means turning your back on any froo-froo hand wavy BS and getting down to work. Philosophy is the most hateful thing in the world when you’re trying to be wrong as little as possible. But once that discipline is in place, and people are confident in their ability to sort out good arguments from bad ones, facts from speculation, philosophy starts to look like fun.
I see. You’re right that philosophers pretty much never do anything like that. Except experimental philosophers, but thus far most of that stuff is just terrible.
“In the framework that I’m working in...”
That’s a good framework with with to approach any philosophical text, including and especially the Platonic dialogues. I just wanted to stress the fact that the dialogues aren’t treatises presented in a funny way. You’re supposed to argue with Socrates, against him, yell at his interlocutors, try to patch up the arguments with premises of your own. It’s very different from, say, Aristotle or Kant or whatever, where its a guy presenting a theory.
Would you mind if I go on for a bit? I have thoughts on this, but I don’t quite know how to present them briefly. Anyway:
Students of Physics should go into a Physics class room or book with an open mind. They should be ready to learn new things about the world, often surprising things (relative to their naive impressions) and should often try to check their prejudices at the door. None of us are born knowing physics. It’s something we have to go out and learn.
Philosophy isn’t like that. The right attitude walking into a philosophy classroom is irritation. It is an inherently annoying subject, and its practitioners are even worse. You can’t learn philosophy, and you can’t become an expert at it. You can’t even become good at it. Being a philosopher is no accomplishment whatsoever. You can just do philosophy, and anyone can do it. Intelligence is good, but it can be a hindrance too, same with education.
Doing philosophy means asking questions about things to which you really ought to already know the answers, like the difference between right and wrong, whether or not you’re in control of your actions, what change is, what existing is, etc. Philosophy is about asking questions to which we ought to have the answers, but don’t.
We do philosophy by talking to each other. If that means running an experiment, good. If that means just arguing, fine. There’s no method, no standards, and no body of knowledge, unless you say there is, and then convince someone, and then there is until someone convinces you otherwise.
Scientists and mathematicians don’t hate philosophy. They tend to love philosophers, or at least the older ones do. Young scientists and mathematicians do hate philosophers, and with good reason: part of being a young scientist or mathematician is developing a refined mental self-discipline, and that means turning your back on any froo-froo hand wavy BS and getting down to work. Philosophy is the most hateful thing in the world when you’re trying to be wrong as little as possible. But once that discipline is in place, and people are confident in their ability to sort out good arguments from bad ones, facts from speculation, philosophy starts to look like fun.
The second part of your post is terrific. :)