Only a moron would consider the distinction material. Is Carlo Rovelli a theoretical physicist or a philosopher of physics. He would say "both" and would probably say that the two disciplines cannot be pursued independently. Was Ernst Mach, whose interests extended well beyond physics but whose basic philosophical questions about relationalism produced general relativity, count as a scientist, a physicist, or a philosopher? All three. What about Julian Barbour, head of the shape dynamics research program and noteworthy independent scientist, who is inspired by Mach to elaborate on purely relational theories of gravity? What about Terrance Deacon, whose (flawed by comprehensive) book on the distinction between living and non-living systems is probably the most cogent analysis of the subject I've ever read? Definitely a philosopher, but also clearly working on entirely physical material. What about Scott Aaronson? I could go on and on listing people who work in both physics and philosophy departments.
The idea that "philosophers" don't think about reality is just absurd. There are thousands of philosophers thinking directly about reality.
nathan_compton|2 years ago
The idea that "philosophers" don't think about reality is just absurd. There are thousands of philosophers thinking directly about reality.
ryloric|2 years ago