The Professor of Data-Lean Generalisations

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Philosophy Now
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Joined: Sun Aug 29, 2010 8:49 am

The Professor of Data-Lean Generalisations

Post by Philosophy Now »

Raymond Tallis puts forward a very specific argument.

https://philosophynow.org/issues/68/The_Professor_of_Data-Lean_Generalisations
promethean75
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Re: The Professor of Data-Lean Generalisations

Post by promethean75 »

Lol, the prof did the very thing he was being critical of - generalization - when he first mentions the French:

"Indeed, if the history of French philosophy in the second half of the twentieth century is anything to go by, it only makes things worse."

However, he does immediately disqualify the generalization there, whether intentionally or not, by the existential quantifier:

"Many of the leading figures...."

The 'many' informs us that not all of the French 'make things worse', but still his point is well made, even if he becomes one of his own examples; most would adopt a general opinion from reading that and begin to think of all French people as being gross generalizers (especially about the bourgeoisie).

Good read in any case.
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