Programmists, informalists, lone wolves, & syncretists

"What kind of philosopher are you? A post at Talking Philosophy sketches out a taxonomy of philosophical tempers. First, there is the “programmist,” a figure who, like W.V.O. Quine, “downplays the importance of humility” in favor of “philosophical rigor.” Second, we have the “informalist,” a kind of “guru” best exemplified by Nietzsche, for whom “insight was the single most important feature of the philosopher.” Next are the “lone wolves,” such as Wittgenstein, who make their marks “by way of sheer stamina and force of will.” Finally, there is the “syncretist,” who is “driven to reconcile opposing doctrines” in the manner of Jürgen Habermas."

The Stone Philosophy Links - NYTimes.com