What is the contribution made by universities in the development of philsophy/computer operating sytems?

SoundaryaNayaki — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 05:12:13 GMT

Philosophy is taught in some univerisites and people do get their degrees as doctorate in philosophy (Ph.D, if not Diploma in Philosophy). What is the contribution of the people affliated to various present day universities to philosophy. To the best of my knowledge, they have paved the way for the death of philosophy.

In the same manner, computer operating systems (be it Bills, Gates, Windows, Posixes (linux, unix, solaris or the varianats ) are developed by individuals. Yet, they are taught in the universities as if they are the discoveries made by universities. I frankly as the question - Do we have to honour the degrees issued by the universities?

RE: What is the contribution made by universities in the development of philsophy/computer operating sytems?

harry — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 19:32:04 GMT

Prof. E.G.A. Husserl, Prof. M. Heidegger, J. P. Sartre, Ph D, Prof. E. Levinas, Prof. P. Ricoeur, Prof. J. Derrida, Dr. J. Sachs, Prof S. Palmquist, Prof. A. Plantinga etc. etc. etc. were or still are all strongly connected with their respective universities. Without the university degrees, philosophy, mathematics and science would be dead.

RE: What is the contribution made by universities in the development of philsophy/computer operating sytems?

HIC_Steve — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:30:48 GMT

"Do we have to honour the degrees issued by the universities?"

In America we are not bound by job to the degree we received from a university. In the case of Bill Gates he dropped out of college to start Microsoft. Same as Larry Page and Sergey Brin (Google Founders). Many in america go for a degree in one thing and end up doing something else.

I have a friend who just finished college getting a bachelor's degree to become a teacher and instead went and worked for a advertising agency for higher pay.

RE: What is the contribution made by universities in the development of philsophy/computer operating sytems?

severed2009 — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 06:20:29 GMT

Windows was a group effort, and was done to make a profit. Same with the Apple operating system, and with the IBM mainframe operating system. Unix and linux were developed basically by individuals on a nonprofit basis.

Universities concentrate on the theory of operating systems, not on their practical application or so much on a specific system. But they give credit to developers of languages.

RE: What is the contribution made by universities in the development of philsophy/computer operating sytems?

severed2009 — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 06:35:13 GMT

Most philosophers are affiliated with universities these days, and few have other sources of income. I can think of two 20th Century philosophers who were successful outside of the university: Bertrand Russell and Sartre. Both wrote popular books.

Philosophers these days generally talk to other philosophers, and only a few nonphilosophers listen. Part of this is due to a lack of interest on the part of nonphilosophers, but part of it is also that philosophers aim to write for other philosophers rather than for a wider audience.

People in other fields, often without much formal training or background in philosophy, sometimes address philosophical issues and gain a popular audience. One who comes to mind is Michael Pollan, who explores the nature of reality and truth from the standpoint of food and comes to some genuine insights that intelligent people without philosophical background can understand.

Many modern stand-up comics, such as the late George Carlin, or Lewis Black, explore philosophical themes. Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert have found two ways to reincarnate Socrates and the Socratic quest for knowledge.

RE: What is the contribution made by universities in the development of philsophy/computer operating sytems?

Turtleread — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:01:54 GMT

Bill Gates never graduated college, although he may have some honorary degrees. You mis-understand the point of education regarding degrees. This system was formed in the medieval ages and Philosophy was thought to be the highest art and/or science. Today, we would put Theology first. So, the highest degree you could receive during the medieval age was the Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Your comment on the use of Philosophy in computers is interesting; however, logic, mathematics, etc. flowed from the field of Philosophy in earlier ages and still does today.