Title
The Mother-in-Law of Philosophy: Intuition & Experimental Restrictionism Ian Matthew Wright, B.A.
Date of Award
9-2009
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Philosophy
Supervisor
Brian J. Garrett
Language
English
Abstract
This project is a response to recent criticisms against the use of intuitions in analytic philosophy, raised by adherents of experimental restrictionism. I begin by discussing and eventually rejecting the restrictionist characterization of analytic philosophy, which I take to be inaccurate and unfair. I examine several accounts of the nature of intuitions in the history of philosophy, in contemporary discourse and as they are understood by restrictionism. I reject these accounts in favour of a more modest characterization of intuitions. I conclude with an overview of the restrictionist methodology. After considering some of its past criticisms, I offer my own critique based on the restrictionists' false presupposition that intuition is a natural kind.
Recommended Citation
Wright, Ian Mattew, "The Mother-in-Law of Philosophy: Intuition & Experimental Restrictionism Ian Matthew Wright, B.A." (2009). Open Access Dissertations and Theses. Paper 4598.
http://digitalcommons.mcmaster.ca/opendissertations/4598
McMaster University Library