The Theory and Practice of Experimental Philosophy

by Justin Sytsma, Jonathan Livengood

In recent years, developments in experimental philosophy have led many thinkers to reconsider their central assumptions and methods. It is not enough to speculate and introspect from the armchair―philosophers must subject their claims to scientific scrutiny, looking at evidence and in some cases conducting new empirical research. The Theory and Practice of Experimental Philosophy is an introduction and guide to the systematic collection and analysis of empirical data in academic philosophy. This book serves two first, it examines the theory behind “x-phi,” including its underlying motivations and the objections that have been leveled against it. Second, the book offers a practical guide for those interested in doing experimental philosophy, detailing how to design, implement, and analyze empirical studies. Thus, the book explains the reasoning behind x-phi and provides tools to help readers become experimental philosophers.

Genres: Philosophy

376 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2015

Reviews

[Steven R. Kraaijeveld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Experimental philosophy is a burgeoning field; this recent work can no longer cover all of the stuff being done in x-phi, but it tries to—and does a good job—differentiating the kinds of projects that are being undertaken within the field. To that end, Sytsma and Livengood take a broad conception of experimental philosophy, which they define as "involving the systematic collection and analysis of empirical data to help answer philosophical questions or solve philosophical problems, whether or not the data concern intuitions" (18). The latter specification signals a departure from earlier conceptions of/work in x-phi, which focused on the evidentiary status of philosophical intuitions in philosophy (that is, the use of intuitions as proof for/against certain theories, arguments, and so on).

The book is divided into two parts: theory and practice. The theory part is a nice overview of the field under Sytsma and Livengood's conception of x-phi (with which I agree—I think that it is clear that x-phi has gone beyond mere work on intuitions at this point), while the practice part is a pragmatic account of how to actually do empirical work for philosophers/within philosophy focusing on both research methodology as well as analysis using the program R).

Overall, then, a valuable contribution to the field of x-phi, and probably the most up-to-date and comprehensive work available right now.