For the discussion of all things philosophical.
https://canzookia.com/
So, do you agree that it matters about our manners?The manner in which philosophical investigation is undertaken leaves as big an imprint on students as do the results of such an investigation.
...In 1998 Richard Rorty complained that a mid-century turn in Anglophone philosophy had meant that “Ayer and dryness won out over Whitehead and romance.” Such a shift to dryness encouraged behavior that was “more adversarial and argumentative than it used to be.” Putting it bluntly, Rorty claimed that philosophers were not necessarily smarter than in the past, but “only a little meaner.”
Fortunately, there is nothing inherent in philosophy which encourages meanness...
In 1892 Henri Bergson gave a lecture to French students... sorting politeness into three kinds: politeness of manners, politeness of spirit, and politeness of heart.
Good manners mean that we do not treat others in ways that are cold, condescending or utilitarian.
Bergson describes ‘politeness of spirit’ as the ability to “put ourselves in other people’s shoes, to take an interest in what is important to them, to think like them, in short, to imagine ourselves living their lives, and, in so doing, allow our own selves and concerns to fade away.”
Politeness of heart, by contrast, helps bring about what is not already there. William James... was especially sensitive to this dimension in human life. His essay, ‘The Will to Believe’ discussed those kinds of realities, which cannot be brought about except by a trust-filled expectation. James focuses on the question “Do you like me or not?” “Whether you do or not depends, in countless instances, on whether I meet you half-way, am willing to assume that you must like me, and show you trust and expectation.” ...
...We can now come back to the liberal arts and specifically the philosophy classroom. What is it about philosophy that encourages politeness?
When we study philosophy...we open ourselves to voices from other times and places. We work together with others in discussion, letting different ways of thinking and seeing challenge us...The habits of politeness are an unnoticed, but crucial by-product of such an undertaking. As such, they help form the fragile ecosystem within which liberal education can thrive. They serve, also, as the primary media through which students help spread the virtues cultivated in our classrooms to the larger, national scene.
© RAYMOND BOISVERT 2004
My thoughts:So, do you agree that:
1. it matters about our manners?
2. Is it true that philosophers are a little meaner than in the past?
3. Does philosophy encourage meanness?
4. Do we need to be polite? Does being 'impolite' mean that we are 'cold, condescending or utilitarian'?
5. Does it matter that we like each other, or not?
6. Is it true that philosophy encourages politeness?
7. Are habits of politeness a 'crucial by-product' of studying philosophy?
8. Do philosophy students help spread such virtues to the 'larger, national scene'?
Yes. Good manners oil the wheels of the human discourse.marjoram_blues wrote: So, do you agree that it matters about our manners?
Only some of them.marjoram_blues wrote:Is it true that philosophers are a little meaner than in the past?
No. Some people are just arseholes.marjoram_blues wrote:Does philosophy encourage meanness?
If we want to be heard and understood it certainly helps.marjoram_blues wrote:Do we need to be polite?
It might mean that we are all of those things or it might just mean that we're arseholes.marjoram_blues wrote: Does being 'impolite' mean that we are 'cold, condescending or utilitarian'?
In a proper philosophical conversation it shouldn't matter and it should be undetectable.marjoram_blues wrote:Does it matter that we like each other, or not?
No. Philosophy often involves the expression of conflicting views so politeness requires a mutual effort of will and respect.marjoram_blues wrote:Is it true that philosophy encourages politeness?
They very much should be.marjoram_blues wrote:Are habits of politeness a 'crucial by-product' of studying philosophy?
NO. Almost nobody in the entire world gives a fuck about what philosophy students have to say about anything.marjoram_blues wrote:Do philosophy students help spread such virtues to the 'larger, national scene'?
Surely incompetence and stupidity are in the eye of the beholder and should thus be exposed by force of argument rather than by gratuitous personal attack. Anyway since when did politics have anything to do with logic or philosophy? Politics is all about show business.HexHammer wrote:Politeness dies in the face of incompetence and stupidity, also when other politicians executes a smear campaign.
One may ask what kind of job one such as you have?Obvious Leo wrote:Surely incompetence and stupidity are in the eye of the beholder and should thus be exposed by force of argument rather than by gratuitous personal attack. Anyway since when did politics have anything to do with logic or philosophy? Politics is all about show business.HexHammer wrote:Politeness dies in the face of incompetence and stupidity, also when other politicians executes a smear campaign.
One may.HexHammer wrote:One may ask what kind of job one such as you have?
..and what kind of job do u have? ..if any?Obvious Leo wrote:One may.HexHammer wrote:One may ask what kind of job one such as you have?
I'm primarily a writer but I also own and operate a small management consultancy business.HexHammer wrote:..and what kind of job do u have? ..if any?
No, incompetent ppl who crashed a million dollar company, and like 80% (100 employees) has to be laid off to save it, then it's not really in the eye of the beholder.Obvious Leo wrote:Surely incompetence and stupidity are in the eye of the beholder and should thus be exposed by force of argument rather than by gratuitous personal attack. Anyway since when did politics have anything to do with logic or philosophy? Politics is all about show business.HexHammer wrote:Politeness dies in the face of incompetence and stupidity, also when other politicians executes a smear campaign.