Back from the Drawing Board

摘要: Reading these essays has shown me a great deal, both about the substantive issues I have dealt with and how to do philosophy. On former front, they show that missed some points overstated others, sometimes just been unable penetrate fog. latter hard it is write philosophy works--and this point stands out for as reflect on rich varied essays. Philosophical books articles routinely fail achieve their manifest goal of persuading intended audiences main points. Does make any worse off than other writing endeavors? Most published novels are failures one sort or another, press reported recent study (whose methodology wonder about) concludes median number readers paper in psychology journal zero. But seems displays particularly feckless record, such huge gap between authorial pretense effect achieved perhaps more comic pathetic. In weak moment found myself thinking our French colleagues right idea: deliberate obscurantism striking stylized poses--since by clear, precise analysis argument so manifestly beyond us. worldly weariness passed, I'm happy say, my cock-eyed American optimism returned. My ambition continues be change people's minds, not win people over way doing philosophy, Bo Dahlbom suggests. admit harder had thought. It's enough get good idea, but it's even harder, apparently, others see what idea is, why good.