Letter to Some Young Philosophers

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter takes the form of a letter, addressed to young philosophers. It responds to a frequently asked question posed by people sympathetic to the reforms envisaged in this book: How can someone starting out on a philosophical career afford to rebel against the standards of the profession? Four models are envisaged and their pluses and minuses are reviewed. The first three are not entirely satisfactory, and the fourth is likely to be available only under special conditions. The chapter concludes with some suggestions about how a reform movement might make the renewal of philosophy less threatening to the young philosophers who identify with it.