Loaded Logic

There are two ways of doing philosophy. Most professional philosophers at anglophone universities take an esoteric problem in one sub-field of philosophy (e.g., ethics, epistemology or metaphysics), criticize what a handful of peers have written on the topic and defend their own view. They publish articles in academic periodicals that make use of abstruse language, imaginary scenarios and mathematical formulas that baffle non-experts. Another way of doing philosophy is more traditional: the philosopher discusses and critically evaluates ideas about the world and the meaning of life that are supposed to shape the way we think and live. They write accessible essays and books that engage a broad public and learn from ideas expressed and valued in different societies and cultural traditions. McGill philosopher Carlos Fraenkel does not deny the value of the first approach, but he persuasively shows the value of philosophical work that engages the...