By Daniel A. Kaufman
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Evidently many – most? – philosophers suppose that what philosophy is about is arriving at true positions on topics starting from morality, to data, to actuality, and the like. They suppose there’s a determinate reply as as to whether ethical realism or anti-realism is true or whether or not the Internalists or Externalists get data proper or whether or not [or how] we retain our private id over time.
Certainly, suggesting that this isn’t what philosophy is about or can do makes loads of philosophers actually upset. Not too way back, my good friend Spencer Case authorized a colleague’s declare that “ethical anti-realism is extra offensive than any first-order, normative view”; that’s, taking an anti-realist place on morals is worse than, say, having the beliefs of an 18th century slaveowner concerning black folks or of a member of the SA about Jews.
As I do take an anti-realist view on morals but in addition don’t need to upset fantastic, upstanding younger philosophers like Spencer and others for whom It Is All About Fact and Who Is Appropriate, I’ve determined to simply minimize to the chase and provides the proper solutions to philosophy’s most basic and enduring questions, in addition to some others. Admittedly, there gained’t be a lot for philosophers to do after this, however they [or at least some of them] did ask for it. So, right here we go!
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1. Why is there one thing, fairly than nothing?
Why shouldn’t there be one thing?
2. The place do phrases get their meanings from?
Individuals.
3. Does God exist?
In fact not. Have you ever regarded round?
4. What are the foundations of morality?
Individuals care about issues. Lots.
5. What are the foundations of worth?
Individuals like and dislike issues. Lots.
6. What’s the supreme precept of morality?
There isn’t one.
7. What’s the normal of magnificence?
There isn’t one.
8. How can we reconcile the subjectivity and normativity of style?
We are able to’t, and the truth that some folks need others to love what they like doesn’t change that.
9. Are values “mind-independent”?
No. Simply think about if there by no means have been any folks.
10. Is actuality “mind-independent”?
No. Minds are a part of actuality. What else would they be part of?
11. What justifies our beliefs?
A lot of various things. Is determined by the context.
12. What are individuals?
Mates; household; neighbors; compatriots; and so on.
13. What’s the normal of non-public id?
It depends upon the context.
14. What’s the nature of thoughts and physique?
Ask the psychologists, neuroscientists, physiologists, anatomists, and so on. What would philosophers learn about it?
15. Is there Free Will?
No. There’s no “will,” so how can it’s free?
16. What makes company doable?
Individuals have causes for doing issues.
17. What’s the greatest system of presidency?
Liberal democracy.
18. What’s Justice?
Generally it’s equity. Generally it’s desert. Generally it’s one thing else. It depends upon the context.
19. How do we all know we aren’t brains-in-vats?
The identical means that we all know that we aren’t goats.
20. What determines the reference of an indexical?
Speaking and pointing.
