Philosophical Disagreements
By Oliver Perater (MSU-IIT)
Disagreement of ideas is not a novel phenomenon. In fact, from a dialectical point of view, it is necessary for philosophy to move forward. Aristotle did not merely disagree with the ideas of his teacher, Plato; he even turned the latter's ideas upside down. However, we never hear of any personal attacks between these two giants, at least, as far as we know, nothing of the sort is recorded in history.
The difference between the ancient Greek philosophers and today's philosophers, I believe, is this: Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle came from aristocratic families; in fact, Aristotle, if not all of them, was a slave owner and a defender of slavery. Today's philosophers, on the other hand, are professors of lower to middle-class economic status. They are not members of the ruling class but individuals both trying to make a living in the academe and who are also trying to make a name for themselves.
In Antonio Gramsci’s classification, they are traditional intellectuals, unlike the ancient Greek thinkers who were literal elites. Thus, while in the ancient period, philosophizing was a luxury reserved for the wealthy, those whose minds were free from economic concerns, today, philosophers are not free from the bondage of economic and social struggles.
This is how I try to understand the phenomenon of personal attacks, rather than purely intellectual debate, in the current social media outbursts among philosophy scholars. What I mean is that we are on the same track: victims of an oppressive socio-economic system, we are not members of the ruling class.
Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc is currently engaged in an ad hominem exchange with some scholars, many of whom I do not personally know. They may be good children to their parents, good parents to their own children, good friends to their peers, and good members of society—just as Dr. Maboloc is.
Allow me, however, to offer a reflection based on my experience as Dr. Ryan’s student in several classes. He has consistently demonstrated the willingness to mentor and encourage novice researchers like me. He has noble character, committed to fostering a culture of writing and publication among emerging academics.
In the Philippine society where many prominent and well cited scholars do not bother turning their heads to struggling researchers and are inaccessible even to their own students, Dr. Maboloc stands out for his dedication to mentor newbie philosophy scholars. That, for me, deserves respect and admiration.
