Abstract
In this talk, I will discuss two research projects – one just finishing and the other just starting – aimed at exploring cross-cultural differences and cross cultural universals in philosophical intuitions and concepts. The talk has four parts.
In Part I, I will offer an account of what philosophical intuitions are and how they are used in philosophy.
In Part II, I will discuss why cultural differences and cultural universals in philosophical intuitions and concepts are important – both theoretically and in very practical ways.
In Part III, I’ll give a brief description of the our first project, which collected data from 15,000 participants in 25 countries, and I will present some evidence for both surprising cross-cultural differences and an unexpected cross-cultural universal.
In Part IV, I will note some of the limitations of the first project and discuss the planning for a second project to address those limitations. The second project will include an international competition for grants to interdisciplinary teams of researchers – including philosophers, linguists, psychologists, anthropologists, neuroscientists and cultural studies scholars – who will be encouraged to propose new and innovative ways to study cultural differences and cultural universals in philosophical concepts. It is my hope that the talk will lead some people in the audience to start thinking about assembling teams that will apply for these grants.
Bio
Stephen Stich is Board of Governors Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and Cognitive Science, Rutgers University