Epistemology vs. The Cult of Lay Opinion
As some of you may know, Epistemology is the branch of Philosophy most concerned with the study of Knowledge. Common sense would (should?) lead a semi-intelligent being to the conclusion that a minimum understanding of this branch of Philosophy would (should?) be necessary for people to be able to conceive, assemble, and articulate (or otherwise publish) reasonably sound, reasonable opinions.
The reality is, of course, that most people with college degrees have never even taken an introductory Philosophy course, and as a result, do not know Epistemology from Epidemiology (that subject being, the study of disease origin and spread.)
And, if our formally-educated citizens have no idea of the classic and academic theories of knowledge, what about the rest of the Nation?
That answer is self-evident; most Americans have no clue whatsoever, about the distinction between knowledge founded upon a justifiable basis, and a brain-fart.
Unfortunately (perhaps I should emphasize, moreso) the slightest bit of a scintilla of comprehension of Theories of Justification is not at all required for people to form and convey their opinions. And that lack of widespread understanding of the basics is (I suggest) why our current society is basically suffocating on brain-farts. Perhaps needless to say, I believe that what I called, in the title of this piece, "The Cult of Lay Opinion," the plethora of unjustified, irrational, and ill-formed opinions, amounts to nothing of greater value than a fog-cloud of brain-farts. Does that mean I think only people versed in the theories and rules of dialetics have any cause to speak their minds? No. But it does mean that I prefer to see more truly reasoned and reasonable discussions (and that I am choking, figuratively, on the fog-cloud of brain-farts.)
As a public service, I will link an article at Wikipedia, for anyone who needs either a refersher course in the basics, or (sorry to say) an introduction to the fascinating and enlightening world of the formal study of knowledge.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistemology#Epistemic_philosophers
Last thought (for now, as I am certainly not finished with this theme); assuming anyone ever finds this page, and decides to hurl a verbal stink-bomb at me, such as, "Snob," or "Elitist," I anticipate your remark, and say:
Thank you for noticing!
The reality is, of course, that most people with college degrees have never even taken an introductory Philosophy course, and as a result, do not know Epistemology from Epidemiology (that subject being, the study of disease origin and spread.)
And, if our formally-educated citizens have no idea of the classic and academic theories of knowledge, what about the rest of the Nation?
That answer is self-evident; most Americans have no clue whatsoever, about the distinction between knowledge founded upon a justifiable basis, and a brain-fart.
Unfortunately (perhaps I should emphasize, moreso) the slightest bit of a scintilla of comprehension of Theories of Justification is not at all required for people to form and convey their opinions. And that lack of widespread understanding of the basics is (I suggest) why our current society is basically suffocating on brain-farts. Perhaps needless to say, I believe that what I called, in the title of this piece, "The Cult of Lay Opinion," the plethora of unjustified, irrational, and ill-formed opinions, amounts to nothing of greater value than a fog-cloud of brain-farts. Does that mean I think only people versed in the theories and rules of dialetics have any cause to speak their minds? No. But it does mean that I prefer to see more truly reasoned and reasonable discussions (and that I am choking, figuratively, on the fog-cloud of brain-farts.)
As a public service, I will link an article at Wikipedia, for anyone who needs either a refersher course in the basics, or (sorry to say) an introduction to the fascinating and enlightening world of the formal study of knowledge.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistemology#Epistemic_philosophers
Last thought (for now, as I am certainly not finished with this theme); assuming anyone ever finds this page, and decides to hurl a verbal stink-bomb at me, such as, "Snob," or "Elitist," I anticipate your remark, and say:
Thank you for noticing!
posted by Abstentus at 1:33 PM
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