Advertisement

American Philosopher

Who dares think a nation? What is the status of philosophy in a nation founded by philosophers? What are the risks of practicing philosophy in America? Does America have a “native” philosophy? Eight short films about philosophy in America and American philosophy by Phillip McReynolds.

 

Join The Conversation

32 Comments / User Reviews

Leave Your Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. This was a disappointing documentary, to say the least. Besides the problems with video and sound editing, which others have alluded to, it completely misses the point of what American philosophy is all about: freedom, individualism, hard work, and achievement. Pragmatism, a dangerous philosophy which is consistently associated with Americanism by those who assume it merely refers to a sense of “practicality,” but which is actually diametrically opposed to American ideals in its attempts to subvert objective reality, is pitifully glorified by the academics in this film. No consistent theme, frequent strayings off the topic at hand, and siezure-inducing background graphics lead me to give this doc two thumbs down.

  2. Worth the watch, though it would be interesting to understand more specific cases of philosophy applied outside of academia in this country. That’s when it appears to be of viable cultural influence. Confined to the classroom, philosophy holds a crippling prestige and as displayed, prejudices are abound.

  3. just a question ,

    what is it to be a american ? you all came form Europe ,the rest Mexico and the rest of the world .

    But what do you think is it to be american ?

    Rank
    Country/Region
    IQ (2002)[6]
    IQ (2006)[7]

    Very High IQ

    1
     Hong Kong
    107
    108

    2
     Singapore
    103
    108

    3
     North Korea
    105*
    106*

    4
     South Korea
    106
    106

    5
     Japan
    105
    105

    6
     Taiwan
    104
    105

    7
     China
    100
    105

    8
     Italy
    102
    102

    9
     Iceland
    98*
    101

    10
     Mongolia
    98*
    101*

    11
     Switzerland
    101
    101

    12
     Austria
    102
    100

    12
     Luxembourg
    101*
    100*

    13
     Netherlands
    102
    100

    14
     Norway
    98
    100

    15
     United Kingdom
    100
    100

    16
     Germany
    102
    99

    17
     Belgium
    100
    99

    18
     Canada
    97
    99

    19
     Estonia
    97*
    99

    20
     Finland
    97
    99

    21
     New Zealand
    100
    99

    22
     Poland
    99
    99

    23
     Sweden
    101
    99

    24
     Andorra
    N/A
    98*

    25
     Spain
    99
    98

    26
     Australia
    98
    98

    27
     Czech Republic
    97
    98

    28
     Denmark
    98
    98

    29
     France
    98
    98

    30
     Hungary
    99
    98

    31
     Latvia
    97*
    98*

    32
     United States
    98*
    98*

    33
     Belarus
    96*
    97*

    34
     Malta
    95*
    97

    35
     Russia
    96
    97

    36
     Ukraine
    96*
    97*

    USA number 32 LOL

  4. Some compression on the vocal track would have made that a whole lot more consistent in volume. Very amateur.

  5. Good film I agree.. sometimes they background music can make or break any movie.

  6. Philosophy of Action is REAL philosophy. People who say what is moral without practicing that moral ethic they believe in are not philosophers. Philosophy is a pursuit of revolutionary thinking not analytical chair sitter, rhetoricians no better than politicians.

  7. I am watching this film right now. The split screen, quick cuts & the constant music reminds me of some sort of music video. The emphasis appears to be on production & not the sharing of knowledge.

    I will not recomend this film to anyone.

  8. good doc but backround music was so anoying

  9. good doc but backround music was so anoying

  10. good doc but backround music was so anoying

  11. good doc but backround music was so anoying

  12. Look at all these university professors. Not one of them fit to call himself a philosopher. You can’t become a philosopher in a school. It is anathema device.

  13. Americunts. What philosphy? Only think these dumb fucks know is I bomb and kill weaker nations, steal your natural resources and im better than everybody else.

  14. Americunts. What philosphy? Only think these dumb fucks know is I bomb and kill weaker nations, steal your natural resources and im better than everybody else.

    • Don’t be jelous becuase the United States leads the world in innovation, technology, and can dominate whatever shitty country your from (probably eastern eurotrash) and  way to speak our language bitch

    • It’s nice to see that the rest of the world — regardless of their personal foibles — still understands that Americans, the USA in particular, is better than everyone else.

    • It’s nice to see that the rest of the world — regardless of their personal foibles — still understands that Americans, the USA in particular, is better than everyone else.

    • It’s nice to see that the rest of the world — regardless of their personal foibles — still understands that Americans, the USA in particular, is better than everyone else.

      • Better? yeah god luck with that. More like dumber than everyone else, or ignorant, or fat, or lazy and so on

        • You are an idiot. You proved this within the context of your arrogant prejudice message.

        • If you plan on calling other people ignorant or ”dumber than everyone else”, I suggest you first learn to spell, among other things.

          • spelling is not a indication of IQ ,

            I can`t spell but I can speak 5 different languages .

            But I will think to that in the USA most people have very little general knowledge  In a lot of different subjects ,

            I spend a few months in the USA and I was NOT impress .

            this is for fuckgreece sure with a name like that I would not be impress to. 

            could you not find something more interesting for a name ?

          • spelling is not a indication of IQ ,

            I can`t spell but I can speak 5 different languages .

            But I will think to that in the USA most people have very little general knowledge  In a lot of different subjects ,

            I spend a few months in the USA and I was NOT impress .

            this is for fuckgreece sure with a name like that I would not be impress to. 

            could you not find something more interesting for a name ?

          • This is also a prejudice and ignorant statement. 

          • I spent 20 years living there and I found the people to be same as everywhere else in the world.  I also speak 4 languages, knowledge of languages helps greatly in understanding nation’s mentality.  Looks like you’ve missed out.

        • While I don’t like my country’s policies, I still believe you to be incredibly simple. Please don’t discredit people, places or any other things when you can’t properly use grammar. In fact stay away from nouns in general for now because I don’t think you’re ready for them.

        • While I don’t like my country’s policies, I still believe you to be incredibly simple. Please don’t discredit people, places or any other things when you can’t properly use grammar. In fact stay away from nouns in general for now because I don’t think you’re ready for them.

          • I have to say, that “fuckgreece,” is not making a very good case for himself. In calling someone else “dumb” he’s managed to misspell in both his messages. Furthermore, insisting an entire nation of people are “dumber” or more “ignorant” and so on, is just as if not more so, ignorant than those he is accusing. I think “smackypie” said it best.

    • It’s nice to see that the rest of the world — regardless of their personal foibles — still understands that Americans, the USA in particular, is better than everyone else.

  15. The way in which the film was presented was a bit scattered and distracting. But the kernels of wisdom I was able to grab hold of between the split-screens and blending of voices were amusing enough to keep me listening for the next.

    If you’re an American, watch it. You’re bound to learn something. Be it inspiring or discouraging, it will at least get you thinking.