John Wilkins Defends Philosophy: Begging the Question

John starts his defense by explaining the correct use of "begging the question." I agree with him 100%. I hate it when people misuse this phrase by thinking it means "prompts me to ask the question."

He then goes on to give an example ... [Begging questions about philosophy, science and everything else]

But we expect better of the educated and cosmopolitan. It comes, therefore, as a continuing pain to me that scientists will often offer this piece of question beggary:

• Science finds out things
• Philosophy does not find out things the scientific way
• Therefore philosophy is a waste of time and effort

The begged premise here is that only knowing things the scientific way is knowledge, or if the philosopher in question doesn’t say that knowledge is what philosophy offers, that only knowing things the scientific way is worthwhile. Some may even hint that only science delivers beauty, too.

It pains me to read this because I expect so much better of an educated and cosmopolitan Australian.

I'm not aware of any scientist who argues like this.

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