There Is No Progress in Philosophy

TLDR

Philosophy has not progressed and still wrestles with the same problems as the Pre‑Socratics, a fact that many philosophers openly deny. The paper explores and argues for the No‑Progress view, offers an explanation for philosophy’s persistent inability to solve problems, and reflects on its future. The authors diagnose the denial of progress as anosognosia, examine the theories of two philosophers who support the view, and provide an explanation for philosophy’s inability to solve problems.

Abstract

Except for a patina of twenty-first century modernity, in the form of logic and language, philosophy is exactly the same now as it ever was; it has made no progress whatsoever. We philosophers wrestle with the exact same problems the Pre-Socratics wrestled with. Even more outrageous than this claim, though, is the blatant denial of its obvious truth by many practicing philosophers. The No-Progress view is explored and argued for here. Its denial is diagnosed as a form of anosognosia, a mental condition where the affected person denies there is any problem. The theories of two eminent philosophers supporting the No-Progress view are also examined. The final section offers an explanation for philosophy’s inability to solve any philosophical problem, ever. The paper closes with some reflections on philosophy’s future.