Thunderf00t, William Lane Craig & Philosophy

This is a reply to Thunderf00t's second video on WLC. I think TF's better point in that video is about the academic credibility of WLC; I myself researched how much of a player Craig is when I first heard of him. I wasn't particularly impressed by what I found.

However, as a philosopher, I'm more concerned with all the haters out there who take WLC's bad example as their cue to belittle the subject to which I have dedicated my life; and which I see, as do most of my peers, as allied to the rational and naturalistic world view. I suggest that it is unfair to judge all philosophy by Craig's example, and that of the army of theistic fan boys he inspires. So seriously kids, come and study philosophy! ;)

Made on my Android phone.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Philosophy
• natural science
• academic reputation
• Thunderfoot
• William Lane Craig
• wisdominanture7

[TheTaoOfSteve]

Rand a mad woman? I wonder- do you doubt Aristotle's sanity as well? She built on his work. Tell me, good sir- what makes for a sound philosophy- the mere volume of prattling, sycophantic academics who praise it as "professional", or is it perhaps instead the practical usefulness of a philosophy in assisting one to lead a productive, self fulfilling & happy life? "Professional" or not, Rand's philosophy is supremely rational & USEFUL, which is more than can be said of Kant or Nietzsche.

[wisdominnature7]

@TheTaoOfSteve

As far as I am aware, Aristotle avoided Benzedrine fuelled rants about the utter moral evil of anyone who criticised the wisdom of acting like a self-centred, and self-proclaimed, adolescent genius. It is deference to cogent argument, even at the expense of one’s own ideology, that marks out a sound philosophy. An egocentric, politicised reading of philosophical issues is thus not a sound philosophy. 

[stiimuli]

whats with the uncomfortably close Blair Witch camera angle?

we really dont need to see up your nose.

[wisdominnature7]

@stiimuli

Front facing phone camera... I have a big nose, it hold much wisdom :)

[stallion4life]

Funny, I didn't hear you say a single relevant thing about the CONTENT of Craig's philosophy.

[wisdominnature7]

@stallion4life

Here is me saying some relevant things about some of Craig's content:

watch?v=hu0xg_CpwlI

[akylae101]

Haven't noticed Tf00t bashing all philosophy, just WLC for the clear crimes of being:

1 a fraud - saying he's a big shot while having virtually no useful output

2 a hypocrite - bashing name-calling without argument before proceeding to do the same

Take care

[EatMAndSml]

That was a real good video. I've been frustrated with the "philosophers" I've been reading or listening too and found myself hating philosophy and have been struggling to get back on track with why it's a good thing. That poke in the head with a stick is just what I needed. I'm going to keep this video around as a reminder.

[TheTaoOfSteve]

@wisdominnature7 As to her self-centered & egocentric nature- she was self*ish* (to mean- 'concerned with one's own interests'), but she was not self-*centered* (to mean- 'concerned with one's own interests *to the exclusion of others*'). As to promoting egotism- I could demonstrate to you through polite discourse how *you* practically espouse the sort of egoism she championed, if you're interested. Politics is an area where is philosophy is needed MOST, not where it ought to be avoided.

[TheTaoOfSteve]

@wisdominnature7 Deference to cogent argument is only relevant if one is proven demonstrably incorrect, otherwise it is simply humility for humility's sake. Do you value deference over rationality & reason? Can you cite any example of Rand failing to use reason? I will recognize that Rand was an unlikable woman who was lacking in compassion. I can't say I like her, but my personal dislike of the woman does not give me cause to dismiss the whole of her philosophy, which is rational & useful.

[integralmath]

@stallion4life when he gets some content to his philosophy, that will be a relevant criticism. The willingness to whore out one's critical faculties for the cheap quotemine and dubious slackjawed insult to logic he perpetrates is not, such as I can discern it, a philosophy of content which requires attention.

[jamey55lee]

Excellent video. The fact is, Craig does not do good philosophy. To use long discredited "proofs" of the existence of God, to suggest that atheists have a burden of proof and to stubbornly ignore solid facts which demonstrate the fallacy of his own arguments; the man is a mountebank and a disgrace.