Showing papers in "Review of Metaphysics in 1976"

Overcoming the Tradition: Heidegger and Dewey

Abstract: X HILOSOPHERS who envy scientists think that philosophy should deal only with problems formulated in neutral terms?terms satis factory to all those who argue for competing solutions. Without common problems and without argument, it would seem, we have no professional discipline, nor even a method for disciplining our own thoughts. Without discipline, we presumably have mysticism, or poetry, or inspiration?at any rate, something which permits an escape from our intellectual responsibilities. Heidegger is frequently criticized for having avoided these responsibilities. His defenders reply that what he has avoided is not the responsibility of the thinker, but simply the tradition of "metaphysics" or "ontology." Consider the following typical passage:

General Rules and the Moral Sentiments In Hume’s Treatise

Abstract: J. his paper is an effort to bring together two issues bearing on the moral philosophy of Hume. First, an effort will be made to interpret and clarify the role of general rules in Hume's account of moral judg ment. Second, the proper classification of the moral sentiments ac cording to categories made familiar by studies in the philosophy of mind will be offered. The collective bearing of these two matters on the analysis of Hume's moral theory will then be explored.