May 8, 2008

Ethicists Write Longer Papers Poll
By S. Matthew Liao

On why ethicists tend to write longer papers, Saul Smilansky has proposed the following hypothesis:

1. Do many people NOT write short papers because they believe that (with the exception of Analysis) the journals insist on longer papers?

Do you have this perception? Do vote and let us know. I’m creating this post so that people are aware that there is a new poll. Please continue the discussion at Saul’s original post. Thanks!

Do you tend to write longer ethics papers because you have the perception that journals prefer longer papers? [See ‘Why do ethicists write such longer papers?’ for the discussion]

View Results

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Posted on May 8, 2008 at 2:04 pm in S. Matthew Liao's Posts, Ethics Etc Poll | 1 Comment

January 3, 2008

Jason Stanley’s Bank Case Poll
By S. Matthew Liao

Professor Jason Stanley (Rutgers University) has recently won the American Philosophical Association Book Prize for his book, Knowledge and Practical Interests. In this book, Stanely also tests and develops his theories and principles by means of intuitive judgments about cases. Here is a case from the book:

[Bank Case 1:] Hannah and her wife Sarah are driving home on a Friday afternoon. They plan to stop at the bank on the way home to deposit their paychecks. Since they have an impending bill coming due, and very little in their account, it is very important that they deposit their paychecks by Saturday. But neither Hannah nor Sarah is aware of the impending bill, nor of the paucity of available funds. Looking at the lines [i.e., at the long queue at the bank], Hannah says to Sarah, ‘I know the bank will be open tomorrow, since I was there just two weeks ago on Saturday morning. So we can deposit our paychecks tomorrow morning.’ (p. 5)

Read the full post here

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 7:01 am in S. Matthew Liao's Posts, Epistemology, Ethics Etc Poll, Philosophical Methods | 4 Comments