International Law

What are Philosophers Good For?

Twenty years ago, I attended Stanford University on a post-doctoral award. John Perry was in the Philosophy department, then. Both a bright and nice guy.

Best line in this talk: "the very brightest philosophers get assigned the worst ideas to defend".

Best puzzle in the talk: If a=a is true, and a=b is true, as mathematical truths, how is it possible that that you can learn something from the latter, but not the former, since both statements say the same thing?

Full post as published by Misleading Advertising Law on May 11, 2009 (boomark / email).