On Thu, Dec 18, 2008 at 09:56:07AM -0500, Phil Sandifer wrote:
An article that heavily relies on Searle to summarize
Derrida would be a
disaster. And yet the best ways to counterbalance Searle involve primary
sources.
I see what you are saying. I have the same issue with mathematics
research papers, if they are considered "primary sources". My personal
solution, which allows me to reconcile NOR with actual practice, is that
Derrida's essay in response to Searle is not a "primary source" from the
point of view of NOR. According to NOR, primary sources are:
"Other examples include archeological artifacts; photographs; historical
documents such as diaries, census results, video or transcripts of
surveillance, public hearings, trials, or interviews; tabulated results
of surveys or questionnaires; written or recorded notes of laboratory
and field experiments or observations; and artistic and fictional works
such as poems, scripts, screenplays, novels, motion pictures, videos,
and television programs."
Note that "peer-reviewed papers making analytic or synthetic arguments"
are not included in that list. If "primary source" for NOR actually
included Derrida's response to Searle, but not Searle's argument, then
the problem you see would be genuine. However, if Derrida's argument is
considered a primary source, then Searle's should also be considered a
primary source.
Unfortunately, due to the wide range of things that are considered
"primary sources" by different fields, I don't think there is really
much hope for a clear PSTS section in the NOR policy. Recently I have
just been ignoring it. If you make any progress in clearing up the
language on the NOR page, that would be wonderful.
- Carl