User’s Guide to Philosophy Without Rankings
A User’s Guide to Philosophy Without Rankings is a new site “intended for the use of prospective graduate students in philosophy, faculty (including chairs or heads) in philosophy, and deans, provosts, and other administrators, all of whom need resources for the decisions they make about philosophy programs.” It is based on the idea that “currently, there are no rankings of graduate programs and departments in philosophy that are not controversial.” It explains why this is so, and provides alternative methods and sources for learning about graduate programs in philosophy. The site was created by Mitchell Aboulafia (Manhattan College), and will be regularly updated with new information as it becomes available.
Its not really a ‘Users’ Guide’ is it? Its a collection of objections and then a list links.
Captain Sensible, the site is an aggregator of resources with annotated items, advice, and commentary to guide prospective students. It’s clear at the top that the site will be updated with new resources as they come in. I invite colleagues to send along additional items and suggestions for the guide.
Here’s how I see it. First, you clear the ground to start your fire. Then you gather some kindling and throw on a few logs. Other people bring more fuel, and before you know it, there’s more light.
From one of PhilWiki’s co-creators, Shawn Miller, a helpful insight:
“Making lists can be tedious, but useful lists are important. Since tedium is partly a function of time, dividing tedious tasks magically makes them cease to be such things. It also lowers the barrier to entry—that is, makes contributions more likely—because much of the groundwork has already been laid. But coordinating the division of labor on projects that are no one’s priority is cumbersome and generally futile.
Happily, coordination isn’t needed particularly. Just keep the lists in standard formats in text files that other people have access to. And then watch—in hopeful anticipation—for side effects.”
http://shamiller.net/wse.html