The science of philosophy: talk by Professor Colin McGinn

Professor Colin McGinn, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Miami, delivers a public lecture at Madingley Hall on 19 November 2012.

This lecture deals with whether philosophy is aptly viewed as a science. Professor McGinn suggests that although philosophy is a priori conceptual analysis it is still a science - a formal science. Moreover, it can be described as empirical, natural, experimental science. The gulf between philosophy and the other sciences is therefore not as great as many have supposed. In the light of this re-classification, it might be best to re-name philosophy.

The lecture is chaired by Professor Tim Crane, Knightbridge Professor of Philosophy at the University of Cambridge, and introduced by Dr Rebecca Lingwood, Director of Continuing Education.

Please note that the lecture proper begins at the 2:50 minute point in the video.

[modvs]

What's the point of preaching to a crowd already converted? This would have been better presented to an audience, half of which were hard-balled (scientistic) scientists.

[vicachcoup]

Perhaps this was geared more towards the university students, but McGinn just seemed to be reading from his notes and not making eye contact.
From his opening comments it sounded like he wasn't really motivated for this.

[LordMoopCow]

This guys like 70 he doesnt give a fuck Lmao

[Oscarman]

It's quite common for academics to read a paper as a form of presentation. Though I do see how this practice seems unusual in a modern ted-talk world. Personally I valued the style but wouldn't teach that way myself.

[piffpaff]

I stopped after 15 minutes listening so I do not know if or when it got any better... He might have had a bad day but just reading his notes (very fast indeed), no eye contact whatsoverever with the audience. I was disappointed, I had expected much more...

[LordMoopCow]

Miami number one baby BIG BOOTY LATINAS