[Wittrs] The Language Game of Professional Philosopher

[Sean Wilson]

... Yes Han. I agree. But that's not the issue we were discussing. You are quite correct that whether one labels a border case (or anyone) a "professional philosopher" or not says nothing about the value they contribute to human thinking, if any. I myself would find no need for the expression, except, perhaps, in a derogatory context -- or perhaps a purely administrative (and pedestrian) one. 

But that doesn't get at the issue. The issue I was trying to show Walter (unsuccessfully, as usual) was that one could observe the term with a sharp boundary or not. The lesson was hence: what Walter thought was a matter of "empirical truth," was merely a matter of the sense of the idea he preferred. Periodically -- about once a year -- I try to see if Walter's made any progress.

But I agree with you that the the expression really doesn't do much, either way. 

Regards and thanks.


Dr. Sean Wilson, Esq.
Assistant Professor
[spoiler]Wright State University
Personal Website: http://seanwilson.org
SSRN papers: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=596860
Wittgenstein Discussion: http://seanwilson.org/wittgenstein.discussion.html [/spoiler]