Ayn Rand used to say philosophy was a hand -- the thumb of the hand of philosophy is epistemology. The index finger is metaphysics. The middle finger, ethics. The ring finger is politics, and the little finger, aesthetics. Your "rule of thumb," then is something more like a ring finger gesturing at teenagers than anything useful for adults. But then, I'm class of '78... (And while we're at it surely it puts me right off being called "poster" ... ) |