No. I've answered you already. It means being capable of rehearsing different positions on a contested topic and doing so _in the best possible light_. The unscholarly way, to my mind, is presenting them in the _worst possible light_. Of course, the latter is SOP in academia. QWhat on earth am I thinking!
>As I said, he doesnt think mush of
>this particularly worth his time in print and refers
>to Chris Norris & others on related topics if pple are
>interested. I dont know what you mean about presenting
>his opinion as if it isnt arguable without loads of
>evidence (I dont do that personally about flat
>earthers myself)
He makes a bald assertion without supporting arguments on a topic that's more contested than he lets on. That's not typical of him. He's much better than that. To repeat: he doesn't have to write a mini-dissertation. He could, however, very capably indicate that his position is one among many and it doesn't really matter to him but, hey, the interviewer asked so he'll give an answer.
>I dont demand that you demonstate anything about
>Chomsky, I am suggesting that he is a whole lot
>sharper than you are implying here, knows philosophy
>and social science unbelievably well and knows many of
>the people in question personally so I'd think twice
>about my own position before saying that he was
>clueless.
To clarify: he sounds as if he's operating on the basis of not very sophisticated criticisms of philosophical naturalism.
> If you want more information on his
>position, ask him. I dont understand why there is so
>much reluctance to engage directly with him and
>instead there are comments about him not getting it.
well, aside from the fact that i tend not to think academic stars are inaccessible, and know for a fact they aren't, my mentor's son studied with him at MIT. So, were i the type to be afraid to email him, I could just pick up the phone, ring up J and say, "Oh, please please please, will you huhhuhhuh? PUUUUUUUHlease get me a hearing with The Great One.
J: "Sure kell, anything for you."
K: OMG! J, I'm getting butterflies in my tummy I'm so nervous. It's NOAM! I'm not worthy. I'm not worthy! What should I wear for the phone call? Will it be a phone call? What if I just melt when I hear his voice. Oh MY GOD, let's just make it email.'K? Should I wear my red pumps while I type away asking him about hempel and derrida? OH, think of the possibilities! My nipples are getting hard just thinking about it!
OH
MY
GAWDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!
I think I'm going have to change my thong!