Tradition
Experimental philosophy
Overview
Experimental philosophy (called x-phi for short) is an emerging field of philosophical inquiry that makes use of empirical data—often gathered through surveys which probe the intuitions of ordinary people—in order to inform research on philosophical questions. This use of empirical data is widely seen as opposed to a philosophical methodology that relies mainly on a priori justification, sometimes called "armchair" philosophy, by experimental philosophers.
Experimental philosophy initially began by focusing on philosophical questions related to intentional action, the putative conflict between free will and determinism, and causal vs. descriptive theories of linguistic reference. However, experimental philosophy has continued to expand to new areas of research.
Disagreement about what experimental philosophy can accomplish is widespread. One claim is that the empirical data gathered by experimental philosophers can have an indirect effect on philosophical questions by allowing for a better understanding of the underlying psychological processes which lead to philosophical intuitions. Others claim that experimental philosophers are engaged in conceptual analysis, but taking advantage of the rigor of quantitative research to aid in that project. Finally, some work in experimental philosophy can be seen as undercutting the traditional methods and presuppositions of analytic philosophy. Several philosophers have offered criticisms of experimental philosophy.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).
Possible passages
Found by search and not yet checked by a person; they may only mention the idea in passing.
This new skepticism, naïve in Montaigne, dogmatic in Hobbes, disguised in Locke, masterly in Bayle, paradoxical but seductive in the greater number of the eighteenth-century writers, hidden now beneath the surface of what is called Experimental philosophy, lures the mind on toward a sort of empirical routine, and unceasingly denying the past, discouraging the future, aims by all kinds of means to retard the progress…
Antoine Fabre d'Olivet, The golden verses of Pythagoras
States what Experimental philosophy is; opens on Experimental philosophy.
He is the father of experimental philosophy. It must, indeed, be confessed that very surprising secrets had been found out before his time--the sea-compass, printing, engraving on copper plates, oil-painting, looking-glasses; the art of restoring, in some measure, old men to their sight by spectacles; gunpowder, &c., had been discovered. A new world had been fought for, found, and conquered. Would not one suppose…
Voltaire, Letters on England
States what Experimental philosophy is; names Experimental philosophy.
PASSY, Aug. 30, 1783. Sir, On Wednesday, the 27th Instant the new aerostatic Experiment, invented by Mess^rs. Montgolfier, of Annonay, was repeated by M. Charles, Professor of experimental Philosophy at Paris. A hollow Globe 12 feet Diameter was formed of what is called in England Oiled Silk, here _Taffetas gommé_, the Silk being impregnated with a Solution of Gum elastic in Lintseed Oil, as is said. The Parts were…
Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Franklin and the First Balloons
States what Experimental philosophy is; names Experimental philosophy.
Philosophers who discussed Experimental philosophy
Related ideas
- Naming and Necessity
- Contextualism
- Kwame Anthony Appiah
- Nigel Warburton
- Intuition
- Analytic philosophy
- John Locke
- Jurisprudence
- Philosophical Studies
- Reference
- Linguistics
- Psychology
- Gettier problem
- René Descartes
- Semantics
- Deontology
- Timothy Williamson
- The New York Times
- Empirical evidence
- Incompatibilism
- Action (philosophy)
- Compatibilism
- Natural philosophy
- Intention
Place in the tradition
Part of Consciousness.