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Plato at the Googleplex: Why Philosophy Won't Go Away

In 'Plato at the Googleplex,' the author investigates the timeless nature of philosophy by imagining conversations between the ancient Greek philosopher Plato and modern figures such as Google employees. The book delves into the enduring significance of philosophical concepts and their applicability to today's society. more

Author

Rebecca Goldstein
Rebecca Goldstein

Rebecca Goldstein, born on February 23, 1950, is an American novelist known for her profound psychological insights and philosophical explorations. Her works, such as 'The Mind-Body Problem' and 'Natural History', are celebrated for their blend of literature and philosophy. more

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“I was trained as a philosopher never to put philosophers and their ideas into historical contexts, since historical context has nothing to do with the validity of the philosopher's positions. I agree that assessing validity and contextualizing historically are two entirely distinct matters and not to be confused with one another. And yet that firm distinction doesn't lead me to endorse the usual way in which history of philosophy is presented.”

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Book:Plato at the Googleplex: Why Philosophy Won't Go Away
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“When you ask why did some particular question occur to a scientist or philosopher for the first time, or why did this particular approach seem natural, then your questions concern the context of discovery. When you ask whether the argument the philosopher puts forth to answer that question is sound, or whether the evidence justifies the scientific theory proposed, then you've entered the context of justification. Considerations of history, sociology, anthropology, and psychology are relevant to the context of discovery, but not to justification.”

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Book:Plato at the Googleplex: Why Philosophy Won't Go Away
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“What is remarkable about the Greeks - even pre-philosophically - is that despite the salience of religious rituals in their lives, when it came to the question of what it is that makes an individual human life worth living they didn't look to the immortals but rather approached the question in mortal terms. Their approaching the question of human mattering in human terms is the singularity that creates the conditions for philosophy in ancient Greece, most especially as these conditions were realized in the city-state of Athens.”

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Author:Rebecca Goldstein
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