In this exchange, JPA approvingly posts Galen Strawson calling illusionism/eliminativism about consciousness The Great Silliness. Strawson is known for being extremely dismissive (and arguably sneering) towards these views.

He’s also a panpsychist. When someone responds by saying panpsychism is silly, JPA responds:

You know, you can disagree with Galen as I do about a number of things without the dismissive sneering. He’s one of the most formidable philosophers of mind alive and extremely serious thinker.

What incredible hypocrisy and double standards. Apparently it’s fine for Galen Strawson to be sneering and dismissive, but not for people who hold contrary views.

And if JPA thinks this isn’t hypocritical or a double standard, presumably that’d be because Strawson is “one of the most formidable philosophers of mind alive” and an “extremely serious thinker.” Perhaps this entitles him to be sneering and dismissive? If so, that’d be a bit odd, since presumably one is extremely serious and formidable to the extent that, at least in part, they’re not sneering and dismissive towards contrary views.

In any case, I don’t think the rest of us are obliged to share JPA’s assessment of Strawson, at least with respect to his take on illusionism or eliminativism. He doesn’t strike me as very formidable or serious on these topics at all.