Philosophy

» pradocg - I think this article neglects something crucial.

I think this article neglects a crucial aspect of the difference between the so-called "analytic" and "Continental" traditions. What's left out is that analytic philosophers address particular problems, be they metaphysical, epistemological, or ethical, while Continental philosophers take a more holistic approach. These different approaches explain why history is so central to Continental thinking and much more peripheral to analytic thinking.

As for the advice to shun labels and do good philosophy, that's a tough one for students who are exposed to one or the other tradition and often don't recognize what the "other side" is doing as philosophy. It's like saying to someone, "Do the right thing!" That's not a lot of help.

-- posted by pradocg

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» RLSharp - I think this article neglects something crucial.

In response to I think this article neglects something crucial. posted by pradocg:

Excellent points. The problem with writing an article like this is that you are limited on space. I think the distinction you raise is a good one, although I am not sure it always holds. Of course, that's true of the generalizations I made in the article as well. Rawls, for example, takes on a wide array of broad political issues, and he does so analytically. It's pretty holistic. Nietzsche devotes essays to particular issues (the first essay of the Genealogy, for example). So I think the distinction is a bit misleading.

Also, I think it's completely unfair to say that Continental philosophers pay more attention to history. I have read both, and while some Continental writers rely on history, others seem to call on us to ignore history as restrictive or over-influential.

Of course, that's why I don't like the labels as a rule. You are right to note that difficulty of avoiding them, though. It's MUCH easier said than done. I think those of us teaching philosophy should take the responsibility of showing students how to avoid over-classification. So I probably should have pointed my advice to teachers as much as students.

BTW, I've seen departments essentially destroyed by conflicts that arise from the divide between Analytic and Continental traditions. That's my real concern.

-- posted by RLSharp

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