William James writing to Victoria Welby on May 9, 1908: “The chief reason why philosophic discussion is so nugatory is that the disputants understand words quite differently and often oppositely”. Writing to Shadworth Hodgson on October 3 the same year: “The power of mutual misunderstanding in philosophy seems infinite, and grows discouraging.” [1] This seems to be so. It’s part of the reason why genuine mutual understanding in philosophy can be so moving. But Bradley, writing to James in 1897, is too pessimistic: “Please do not think I want to lead you into a discussion. I have always myself found such things useless. One may, where an objection is not a mere mistake, profit by it when one reconsiders the matter as a whole, but otherwise I fancy never. So do not trouble yourself to reply to what I say.” [2]
failures of communication 3
failures of communication 3
failures of communication 3
William James writing to Victoria Welby on May 9, 1908: “The chief reason why philosophic discussion is so nugatory is that the disputants understand words quite differently and often oppositely”. Writing to Shadworth Hodgson on October 3 the same year: “The power of mutual misunderstanding in philosophy seems infinite, and grows discouraging.” [1] This seems to be so. It’s part of the reason why genuine mutual understanding in philosophy can be so moving. But Bradley, writing to James in 1897, is too pessimistic: “Please do not think I want to lead you into a discussion. I have always myself found such things useless. One may, where an objection is not a mere mistake, profit by it when one reconsiders the matter as a whole, but otherwise I fancy never. So do not trouble yourself to reply to what I say.” [2]