I remember reading one of bishop Berkleys Q&A type platonic style dialogues and that was very clear. — Swanty

Yes, I think Berkeley and Wilde are great writers. Hume is famous for his prose (e.g. On the Standard of Taste) although I find it a bit overblown myself. Philosophers are a bit hit and miss in terms of writing styles.

EDIT: While a bit dull, ChatGPT does a fab job of making up nonsense but setting it out in a clear, transparent and readable style.

@bert1

I like a lot of Humes writings but he gets a little weird and dogmatic at times.

Philosophers definitely vary in style

Do you think there is any psychological reason for an overblown style?

@bert1

Ah,that's a really good point with regard to chatGPT.
My answer to that is, as I mentioned before, as well as clear it must have some power and entertainment in it. Not dull or cold.
As Nietzsche said; I only like this who write in blood!
Cold nonsense is psychopathic! As befits a programmed machine!

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@tim wood

Ok,let me elucidate this way. You say you find Hegel impenetrable.

How have you come to this conclusion?

I'm not criticising Kant or Hegel's ideas, or saying don't wrestle with their general critiques.

In fact some of Hegel's phenomenology and political analysis is fab. Same with Kant on human perception and subjective idealism.

But both could have explained their ideas far clearer and with more brevity.

They are bad writers because they don't summarise their ideas with clarity,but waffle on for pages and pages.

B&N still stocks because of academic tradition, because of the gold within the dross and the fact that many love overblown jargon laden texts and waffle.

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I see many people who like Kant or Hegel because it's a badge of honour to have read their supposedly difficult books. But basically they are bad writers! — Swanty

You could be correct on this point.

Cite some representative samples of my "unclear" "jargon laden style and weird grammatically abbreviated sentences". Thanks.

Cite some representative samples of my "unclear" "jargon laden style and weird grammatically abbreviated sentences". Thanks. — 180 Proof

Just playing.

I'm suspicious of long winded writers,it's like a long list of apologies and overwrought justifications,showing how the writer is unsure of his ideas! — Swanty

Long writings on the philosophical topics tend to be counter productive in its clarity. Usually long writings get avoided and misunderstood by the readers. CPR could have been written in 10 pages prolegomena instead of 800 pages and in two versions.

Even in the forum, I tend to avoid reading the long OPs or posts unless they are super interesting or significant. I just tend to read the titles and first 1 or 2 sentences before moving on to something else.

Niet and Witt were great in writing short and sweet philosophies.

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That's right. And I can whistle Beethoven's Ninth. The trouble comes when folks are dismissive because of length. Short, sweet (maybe), and simple - that's how it should be. Is that what your girlfriend thinks? — tim wood

Your question committed a categorical misunderstanding, therefore discarded as meaningless babble. My girl friend is not philosophical writings. They belong to different categories.

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I don't read my girl friend. :nerd:
I tend to refer from the academic commentaries on CPR these days for saving time. There are other stuff to read, and time is too short in a day. " Remember everyone has limited time in this world." - Steve Jobs

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*Taps podium with a small stick*
I think we are all as in tune as we're ever going to be; let's begin the overture...

:smirk:

Do you think there is any psychological reason for an overblown style? — Swanty

Maybe in some cases but I have no idea and less interest. Philosophy is tricky enough without taking an interest in people's motivations. It drives me up the wall on this site when someone is accused of thinking something because of some character trait, as if that is relevant to the philosophy.

Also arising is the question of the quality of the secondary source; not all are right and some are plain wrong. And how would anyone know without access to the original? — tim wood

There is no originals in Philosophy. All philosophy is interpretation and critique of the world.

sometimes the seeming long way 'round is the shortest and best. — tim wood

Long way round is the longest with no ending. What may look best today might turn out to be claptrap tomorrow. Stay open minded. :D

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:lol:

We'll credit this to an enthusiasm fueled by maybe wine. Silliness from a bottle - unless the bottle is you. — tim wood

It wasn't me. It was A.N. Whitehead who said that all western philosophy is footnote of Plato.