Philosophers like Lakatos offer a lot to scientists. Because science is a human endeavor, and its participants may reflect on why they do what they do. It can g

Philosophers like Lakatos offer a lot to scientists. Because science is a human endeavor, and its participants may reflect on why they do what they do. It can go well if the philosopher tries to understand science, speaks with scientists, etc. (Maybe mainstream philosophy is full of decadent garbage, but so is lots of mainstream programming, in my view.) Also, science has limits. (Which is fine because that's how it derives strengths.) Chomsky-as-philospher discusses them. To the extent that they act like martial arts schools, where each tries to prove the superiority of their own school... well we can all reflect on whether that's how we want to spend our one life.