Philosophical virtues

Metaphilosophy 54 (2-3):195-207 (2023)
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Abstract

It has been suggested that philosophers should adopt a methodology largely inspired by mathematics and that the “mathematical” virtues of rigor, clarity, and precision are also fundamental philosophical virtues. In reply, this paper argues that some excellent philosophy lacks these virtues and that too much emphasis on the mathematical virtues excludes potentially valuable forms of philosophical discourse and makes the profession less diverse than it should be. Unduly restrictive conceptions of philosophical argumentation should be avoided. On a contributory conception, philosophy should try to make a positive contribution to human emancipation where possible. The paper argues that it is possible and desirable for epistemology to contribute in this way and that the mathematical virtues are less significant in this context than the emancipatory virtues of what one might call “liberation philosophy.” These include irony, reflectiveness, imagination, contrarianism, and worldliness.

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Quassim Cassam
University of Warwick

References found in this work

How is this Paper Philosophy?Kristie Dotson - 2012 - Comparative Philosophy 3 (1):3-29.
Cultural Gaslighting.Elena Ruíz - 2020 - Hypatia 35 (4):687-713.
Virtues and Vices.Philippa Foot - 1983 - Noûs 17 (1):117-121.
Freedom and Resentment and Other Essays.P. F. Strawson - 1968 - Philosophy and Rhetoric 9 (3):185-188.
Self, mind, and body.Peter F. Strawson - 1974 - In Peter Frederick Strawson, Freedom and Resentment and Other Essays. London, England: Routledge.

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