Philip E. Agre famous quotes

Even those who identify themselves as libertarians follow an overtly anti-rationalist philosophy, as even a brief acquaintance with the work of Friedrich Hayek should make clear. The argument against reason in this literature is straightforward: it is impossible for any individual to acquire enough reliable information to make a rational decision, any actions founded on rational thought will therefore be delusional, any attempts at reason should therefore regarded as dangerous, and all action should instead be guided by tradition.
-- Philip E. Agre

#Philosophy #Decision #Literature

Conservatism is constitutionally opposed to public reason, and this explains the abandon with which so many conservative pundits embrace flagrant simulations of reason, constructed through the methods of public relations, and exhibit so little regard for the real thing.
-- Philip E. Agre

#Real #Littles #Libertarian

It is commonly said that the Internet is unique in its ability to spread bad information to large numbers of people, but this is ridiculous, given that the Internet cannot begin to compete with CNN or the New York Times for this honour.
-- Philip E. Agre

#New York #Unique #Numbers

So here I was in the middle of the AI world-not just hanging out there but totally dependent on the people if I expected to have a job once I graduated-and yet, day by day, AI started to seem insane. This is also what I do: I get myself trapped inside of things that seem insane.
-- Philip E. Agre

#Jobs #People #Insane

Technology at present is covert philosophy; the point is to make it overtly philosophical.
-- Philip E. Agre

#Philosophy #Philosophical #Technology

The market is like the police: of course you need it, but if it becomes the central organizing principle of your culture then you're in deep trouble.
-- Philip E. Agre

#Police #Principles #Needs

I am not a pessimist but a pejorist (as George Eliot said she was not an optimist but a meliorist); and that philosophy is founded on my observation of the world, not on anything so trivial and irrelevant as personal history.

Future generations may or may not judge Wittgenstein to be one of the great philosophers. Even if they do not, however, he is sure always to count as one of the great personalities of philosophy. From our perspective it is easy to mistake one for the other; which he is time will tell.

There are times when the end justifies the means. But when you build an argument based on a whole series of such times, you may find that you've constructed an entire philosophy of evil." --Luke Skywalker

The pretended physical philosophy of modern days strips Man of all his moral attributes, or holds them of no account in the estimate of his origin and place in the created world.

For me, baseball is the most nourishing game outside of literature. They both are re-tellings of human experience.

In the lack of judgment great harm arises, but one vote cast can set right a house.

He who goes unenvied shall not be admired.

Justice turns the scale, bringing to some learning through suffering.

I know how men in exile feed on dreams.

I willingly speak to those who know, but for those who do not know I forget.