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Whereas physics-envy is a neurosis found among those whose disciplines are accused of being soft, philosophy-envy is found among those who pride themselves on the hardness of their disciplines. The latter think that their superior rigor qualifies them to take over the roles previously played by philosophers and other sorts of humanists-roles such as critic of culture, moral guide, guardian of rationality, and prophet of the new utopia ("Philosophy-envy,"Dædalus, 133, 4 (Fall 2004): 21 f.).

Wiki MarkupMy main question is whether a somewhat different account of the reason for science's having won its autonomy wouldn't be preferable. In any event, I would suggest that what characterized pre-Galilean science, and the reason it had both the metaphysical and the moral implications that post-Galilean science does not have, is that it asked about the meaning of things for us-in Rorty's phrase, "what is really real or \ [_sic_\!\] really important"---and only in this sense about their "intrinsic natures." This is why in pre-Galilean science there is no effective distinction between "science" and "wisdom." Of course, this difference in no way affects Rorty's main point.

30 November 2004