Following the argument where it leads

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

Throughout the history of western philosophy, the Socratic injunction to 'follow the argument where it leads' has exerted a powerful attraction. But what is it, exactly, to follow the argument where it leads? I explore this intellectual ideal and offer a modest proposal as to how we should understand it. On my proposal, following the argument where it leaves involves a kind of modalized reasonableness. I then consider the relationship between the ideal and common sense or 'Moorean' responses to revisionary philosophical theorizing.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)105-124
Number of pages20
JournalPhilosophical Studies
Volume154
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2011

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Philosophy

Keywords

  • Argument
  • Belief
  • Common sense
  • Intellectual ideals
  • Rationality

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Following the argument where it leads'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this