Hello, my name is Dr. Duck-Rabbit. Feeling meaningless and alienated from society? Simply have no idea what’s right and what’s wrong? Having difficulty over a moral dilemma?  Sit down on my couch and I will help you work through any philosophical problems you might have.

_________________________________________________________________

I have recently become concerned about the division occurring in our society. Just why is it that analytic philosophy and continental philosophy don’t seem to gel? Why is there such a hate between the two areas? Can’t we all just get along and accept each other for what we are?

Yours tremblingly,

Afraid of Confrontation

Dear Afraid of Confrontation

What we have here is an all too familiar case of teenage rebellion and estrangement. During its troubled adolescence, Analytic Philosophy began to distinguish itself from its once close parent and defiantly reject its ideals. It wasn’t long before arguments began to arise and analytic philosophy retreated to its room in the anglo-american intellectual community, slamming the door and turning its music up to max as it went.

And so it is that the two mostly avoid each other apart from continental philosophy’s occasionally reproaching analytic philosophy for going out wearing only small fashionable arguments which ‘would never have been allowed in my day’ and not spending enough time listening to its elders; to which analytic philosophy promptly replies that continental philosophy is too stuck in its ways and just doesn’t understand anything about philosophy. And so we come to the impasse which is so distressing to those caught in the middle.

The solution, as with all such disputes, is mutual respect; both parties ought to realise that the other has a valid point of view and that each has something to contribute, it is the combination of these points of view alone that can advance philosophy. In short the two need to grow up, stop bickering and live in harmony as a cohesive family unit; the answer, as in so many things, is dialectic.

All the Best,

Dr. Duck-Rabbit

_________________________________________________________________

Dear Dr. Duck-Rabbit,

I have been studying philosophy for two years now and, as a result, am no longer convinced that I exist. What should I do?

Yours sceptically,
A. Friend

Dear A. Friend,

Not to worry you further, but have you ever thought the root of your problem may not lie in a non-existent self but a plethora of ever-shifting SELVES? As a Duck-Rabbit, this problem is a particularly pertinent one. Nevertheless, I would administer the classic cure of Descartes’ Meditations; in fact, you may discover that you exist but the world, everyone around you, history, objects, bodies (including your own) – don’t. Take your pick.

All the best,

Dr. Duck-Rabbit