Do You Have to Reply to This Paper?
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Do You Have to Reply to This Paper? Saul Smilansky 1 Received: 4 June 2020 / Revised: 5 November 2020 / Accepted: 11 November 2020 # The Author(s) 2020
Abstract I explore the question of whether one has to reply to a paper such as this, and consider what a positive answer (in any respect) would teach us. I argue for a qualified Yes. By “reply” I refer to an attempt to write a paper responding to the original one, which addresses (some of) the major claims made in it. I first ask what philosophical papers are for, and note the important role played by replies to them. I consider special obligations to reply to philosophical papers; and the weaker pro tanto obligations that might exist for most professional philosophers. Finally, I consider objections to my claims; and the broader implications if my case is plausible. Keywords Philosophical replies . Progress in philosophy . Professional responsibility .
Norms of assertion I explore the question of whether one has to reply to a paper such as this, and consider what a positive answer (in any respect) would teach us. I argue for a qualified Yes, which will be explicated below. By “paper” I refer to a scholarly or scientific publication, although in principle this could be understood even more broadly. Papers are typically published in professional journals, and the definition may be broadened to include papers in collections of articles, and books, although I shall focus on journal articles. For the sake of simplicity, I focus on philosophy, but my arguments and claim here could apply widely throughout the scholarly and scientific worlds; albeit perhaps with some adjustments. By “reply” I refer to an attempt to write a paper responding to the original one, which addresses (some of) the major claims made in it. What makes for a good reply is a topic that I shall set aside here. The questions of who “you” are and the nature of the “have” will require further consideration and refinement, not just stipulation. Before I turn to those questions, it would be helpful to ask what academic papers are for. There is some variety here. Mostly I shall consider the “straight” paper putting * Saul Smilansky [email protected]; http://www.saulsmilansky.com
1
Department of Philosophy, University of Haifa, 3498838 Haifa, Israel
Philosophia
forward claims, considering arguments, mapping a conceptual field and the like. General survey papers, book review essays and so on might also come under this heading, but usually will not. Academic papers in philosophy serve various narrowly professional functions, such as enabling publication-based recruitment of faculty, granting of tenure, evaluation of academics for advancement, and the establishment of academic reputations. Their main function, however, is more strictly academic – they are the primary way in which philosophy does its business. Papers are the main avenue for staking research claims, and presenting them for the evaluation of the philosophical community. They are, therefore, a primary means for getting nearer to t
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