[MD] Taking Words Seriously

[Matt Kundert]

Hi Marsha,

Marsha said:
But I think of a philosopher as someone who is curious about the 
nature of Reality, or at least some aspect of Reality, not necessarily 
someone who has an opinion about everything.

Matt:
I think I understood that this was your "different view," as you 
glossed as a reminder, which is why I spoke up when, having been 
pushed a little harder, you added, "My alternative view is that the 
differentiation between professional and amateur philosopher is just 
so much cultural clap-trap."

I like your definition of a philosopher, but I didn't understand at the 
time why you fielded it as an alternative.  Glossing the view that 
yours is an alternative to as "claptrap" seemed to me of the same 
kind of overstress that Plato committed by thinking that the 
important Good should be at the center of all discussion (enshrined 
as the Ultimate Form).  What I couldn't understand was why 
interest in the distinguishing between amateur and professional 
didn't fall under your "at least some aspect of Reality" clause.  
That's why I responded that I wasn't attempting to dictate to people 
what they should be interested (read: curious) in.

Matt