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As an undergrad philosopher who became self-taught hacker after graduation, I can say with confidence that this is a great synthesis. While contemporary academ
by zoomzoom 16y ago
As an undergrad philosopher who became self-taught hacker after graduation, I can say with confidence that this is a great synthesis.
While contemporary academic philosophy is little more than a circular passing of jargon, there is no doubt that the practice of philosophy has inspired great science. Kant, for example, wrote books about anatomy and other empirical topics prior to this metaphysical work, and made prescient suggestions about the existence of other galaxies and the theory of evolution. Perhaps an infusion of CS will help win Philosophy back from the ivory tower.
- jpadvo 16y agoAs a hacker who married a philosopher, I can also say with confidence that this is a great synthesis. More than just in grand sweeping ways, the fields align in the little ways, too. My wife understands my work more quickly than other non-hackers because she understands the concept of a rigorous artificial language ( she uses formal logic, I use programming languages ).
- rpbertp13 16y agoAs another undergrad philosopher turned self-taught hacker I wouldn't see why you'd want Philosophy to come down from the ivory tower. It's hard to imagine what would be of Philosophy today if Kant had spent all his life writing about science and hadn't given us the Critique of Pure Reason.
- zoomzoom 16y agoThe point is that the CPR was only possible because of his earlier work in the "hard" sciences, at least in IMHO.
- thrdOriginal 16y agoI am yet another hacker with an undergrad in philosophy. The first college-level programming class I took (in high school, so before I had decided to major in either) was taught by a professor with his Masters in Philosophy and PhD in Computer Science. I think there is an incredibly strong correlation.