Where I Stand (Subject to Flux)

Here is a collection of the directions toward which I currently lean in the context of various classic philosophical debates. Not terribly deep, I’ll admit, but worth noting for my sake so that I can draw comparisons later on.

• Analytic vs Continental: Continental
• Agnosticism / Atheism vs Theism: Agnosticism (with polytheist tendencies)
• Anti-Naturalism vs Naturalism: Naturalism
• Bundle Theory vs Substance Theory: Bundle Theory
• Determinism vs Libertarianism (Free Will): Hard Determinism / Fatalism (With an interest in non-causal events)
• Direct / Indirect Realism vs Phenomenalism: Phenomenalism
• Dualism vs Non-Dualism: Non-Dualism
• Empiricism vs Rationalism: Empiricism
• Ethical Cognitivism vs Ethical Non-Cognitivism: Ethical Non-Cognitivism
• Nominalism vs Realism / Universalism: Nominalism

I think it’s interesting, and perhaps informative, to note that the pattern here generally seems to fit with one of William James’ “personality types” associated with certain philosophical outlooks. One might describe this pattern of opinions as fairly skeptical/scientific in a number of ways; James describes those who hold to this pattern as wishing to put forth a view of themselves as practical, tough-minded thinkers. I can see the draw of this mask, but I also have a liking for somewhat high, delicate ways of presenting these ideas, particularly the metaphysical ones, at least when such presentation is possible. I have no idea if James is right, but his is an interesting insight nonetheless.

In any case, I have much to learn and there is a long way to go both in the Ancient Philosophy class and the Metaphysics seminar I am currently enrolled in. Then there are always two more years at Kenyon, graduate school (if that’s in the cards), independent reading, life itself. I could end up a Platonist, for all I know! I hope not, though.