In undergrad I had to read Quine’s From Stimulus to Science for one of my philosophy classes, and I remember thinking “so what’s your point?” It seemed like what Quine really needed to do in that work was talk about induction, but he just skirted the issue. Have you read it? What’s your take? This was my only real exposure to Quine, so it’s probably part of the reason I dismissed him.
(It’s been a couple years since I’ve read it, so my memory may be off or I might have a different view if I read it now.)
I think Quine’s original works are hard to read, and not the best presentation of his own work. I recommend instead Quine: a guide for the perplexed.
In general, I think primary literature is over-recommended for initial learning. There is almost always better coverage of the subject in secondary literature.
FWIW, I think most of Quine’s original work that I’ve read is very nicely written and very clear. (Not all; for some reason I never really got on with Word and object.)
In undergrad I had to read Quine’s From Stimulus to Science for one of my philosophy classes, and I remember thinking “so what’s your point?” It seemed like what Quine really needed to do in that work was talk about induction, but he just skirted the issue. Have you read it? What’s your take? This was my only real exposure to Quine, so it’s probably part of the reason I dismissed him.
(It’s been a couple years since I’ve read it, so my memory may be off or I might have a different view if I read it now.)
I think Quine’s original works are hard to read, and not the best presentation of his own work. I recommend instead Quine: a guide for the perplexed.
In general, I think primary literature is over-recommended for initial learning. There is almost always better coverage of the subject in secondary literature.
FWIW, I think most of Quine’s original work that I’ve read is very nicely written and very clear. (Not all; for some reason I never really got on with Word and object.)