In Conversation: W.V. Quine - Fara Interview - Section 7

Willard Van Orman Quine, Professor Emeritus at Harvard University, has been described as the greatest living English-speaking philosopher. In this series, he takes part in an in-depth personal interview, and a penetrating analysis of his life's work in six panel discussions with some of today's leading philosophers. In discussions with some of today's leading philosophers. In discussions on his most important theses, Quine defends his views against the major criticisms—past and recent—to bring his position right up-to-date. The result is a comprehensive, archival document which will provide a wealth of original material for research students and faculty, as well as a fundamental teaching resource for undergraduate courses.

The Fara Interview

Professor Quine talks to Rudolf Fara, Executive Director of the international charity Philosophy in Britain, about family background and his earliest philosophical thoughts. HE recalls his years as an undergraduate at Oberlin, graduate study at Harvard under A.N. Whitehead and his meeting with Bertrand Russell. He discusses his exposure to the logical positivists of the Vienna Circle, particularly Rudolf Carnap, and to the Polish Logicians of the Lvov-Warsaw School. The lighter theme of Professor Quine's likes and dislikes is explored, and finally, his is asked what question he would most like answered.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Rudolf
• Fara
• Willard
• Van
• Orman
• Quine
• W.V.O.
• Philosophy
• Logicism
• Mind
• Linguistics
• Cognitive
• Science
• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Causation
• Consciousness

[max4296]

5:36: "I never learned to respond properly to Bach." So liking something is a matter of learning a proper response? What subjective shallowness hath logical positivism wrought!?

[K2nsl3r]

Yes, although it might stem from his behaviorist psychology, rather than his logical positivism. Behaviorism, after all, is about trigger and response. But it's also easy to read too much into casual comments.

[craigpsimpson]

@max4296 I think he means he doesn't like it (in his own odd way), despite Bach's music being putatively the paragon of euphony. He does say the "Spanish beat is just magic" which is a lot less dry than I would have expected from him.

[solidmotion]

I find it amusing that his voice (tone and cadence) reminds me of Hunter S. Thompson.... I'm not making any value judgments about this, just noting that their voices are similar.

[solidmotion]

I find it amusing that his voice (tone and cadence) reminds me of Hunter S. Thompson.... I'm not making any value judgments about this, just noting that their voices are similar.

[max4296]

True, it's a fairly common expression. I guess I just found it particularly suggestive b/c of who he is and b/c of my own intellectual biases, hehe.

[entropia34332]

great observation!

[CaptainBluebear08]

Agreed !

[Guaguanco11]

It is very disappointing that he didnt like Bach. Geniuses, whatever their medium, should stick together.