Dear Dr. Swartz, I liked your ruminations on philosophy as a blood sport. As a student of Cognitive Science, I had to take a couple of philosophy courses. Though I did not come away with the impression of a blood sport, I certainly understood that philosophy had to be treated VERY differently from other disciplines in cogsci. I think one of the reasons why philosophers act differently is the nature of the discipline itself.
Philosophers tend to identify themselves far too closely with their opinions.
Any challenge to those opinions, however remote, are then taken to be statements at a personal level. Things are different in the sciences. The scientists' positions are more aloof. Besides, they also have very rigorous ways of testing positions and reaching a consensus. For philosophers, there are only arguments.