Strong Evaluation and Weak Ontology. The Predicament of Charles Taylor (International Journal of Philosophy and Theology 2014 75:5, 440-459) (original) (raw)

In this paper, I argue that a close examination of Charles Taylor's central concept of "strong evaluation" brings out more clearly the continuing tensions in his writings as a whole. I trace back the origin of strong evaluation in Taylor’s earliest writings and continue by laying out the different philosophical themes that revolve around it. Next, the focus is on the separate arguments in which strong evaluation is central, uncovering certain methodological conflicts in Taylor’s strategies. Arguing against most of his commentators, I suggest that a distinction should be drawn between the philosophical-anthropological, ethical, and ontological implications of strong evaluation. As a result, the contribution of this paper is threefold. First, it clarifies the issue of strong evaluation by distinguishing the different arguments in which Taylor employs the concept. Second, it makes the case for multiple tensions within Taylor’s methods. Third, as a consequence, this analysis opens up the question of the metaphysical status of his ontological view.