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Does 'philosophical judgment' exist? I studied philosophy at undergrad, and I think I learnt how to judge an argument, not simply as sound or cogent, but interesting, which arguments are better refuted. Do philosophers talk about this or is it just a basic pedagogical idea?

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Final answer:

Philosophical judgment certainly exists and entails the evaluation of arguments beyond logical structure, incorporating elements of historical context, concept interconnectivity, and subjective taste. It involves unique skills that philosophers develop to navigate complex ideas, contributing to discussions on knowledge, existence, and aesthetics.

Step-by-step explanation:

The concept of philosophical judgment is indeed recognized within the discipline of philosophy. Philosophical judgment goes beyond assessing arguments for soundness or cogency; it encapsulates the complex evaluation of arguments in terms of their interestingness and their susceptibility to refutation. These judgments are not merely pedagogical but are deeply rooted in the philosophical tradition stretching back to Greek thought and its figures like Socrates and the Academic Skeptics, who introduced nuanced notions of knowledge and belief.

Sellars highlighted a particular philosophical know-how, a practical knowledge that involves navigating the world of concepts and understanding their interconnectivity—an essential skill for making sound philosophical judgments. Further, Enlightenment philosophers like Hume discussed the subjective nature of judgments in aesthetics, noting how taste can evolve and become more refined. Therefore, philosophical judgment exists as a unique skill set for philosophers, aiding in the exploration of value theory, knowledge, belief, and the intersection of the manifest and scientific images of our world.

These nuanced positions all contribute to a broader understanding of philosophy, where rigorous analytical methods like logic and dialectic support the pursuit of truth, with reason as its cornerstone. This pursuit fundamentally shapes how philosophers deploy argumentation to approach classic philosophical questions about knowledge, existence, morality, and aesthetic judgments.

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