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Ratiocination

lolfilosofers: IV



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lolfilosofers: III



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lolfilosofers: II




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lolfilosofers: I


One recent internet phenomenon has become known as a lolcat: a cute or funny picture of a cat, using non-standard grammar and spelling (usually 1337). More generally, these are known as image macros. Odd pictures with funny captions.

In this grand tradition, I start this series dedicated to lolfilosofers. Here's the first (a lolleiter, if you like):

Two Philosophers


I'm no historian; my philosophical research is entirely contemporary. But I am studying this summer for comprehensive exams in the history of philosophy.

Two thinkers who have stood out to me (that is, thinkers I've ending up liking) are Leibniz and Locke. Leibniz reminds me of David Lewis: he's a system-builder and unafraid of doing metaphysics in the grand old style. He says fantastic things and defends them with interesting and original arguments. I like that. But there's also something quite attractive about Locke's much more modest, moderate approach. Copleston has this to say in his history of philosophy:

Locke, as is evident from his writings, we very much a man of moderation... He was a rationalist in the sense that he believed in bringing all opinions and beliefs before the tribunal of reason and disliked the substitution of expressions of emotion and feeling for rationally grounded arguments... He disliked authoritarianism, whether in the intellectual or in the political field. And he was one of the earlier exponents of the principle of toleration... He was a religious man; but he had no sympathy for fanaticism or with intemperate zeal. One does not look to him for brilliant extravaganzas or flashes of genius. One finds in him an absence of two extremes and the presence of common sense...

To those who expect from a philosopher startling paradoxes or novel 'discoveries' he inevitable appears as pedestrian and unexciting. But he gives throughout the impression of being an honest thinker. In reading him, one is not forced to ask oneself constantly whether he can possibly have believed what he was saying.

Wittgenstein the Man


I recently read Ray Monk's biography of Wittgenstein--and it is wonderful. Monk has done his research, and I especially enjoyed the many diary entries and such--it really brings Wittgenstein to life as a character. He was a fascinating man, and I say this as someone who has virtually no interest in him as a philosopher.

One particularly interesting feature of Wittgenstein's life is the sheer number of important intellectuals he interacted with in his time: Russell, Moore, Broad, Malcolm, Frege, Ramsey, Anscombe (and the list goes on).

And as it turns out, little Ludwig Wittgenstein and Adolf Hitler spent a year together in elementary school. One book even argues that Wittgenstein was the occasion for Hitler's early anti-Semitism. I'm not sure if that's true or not--but this class picture of the two boys certainly raises some interesting questions.