Phenofun

I just realized reading your first post, what does it matter whether Pollan is a philosopher or not for your thesis?
If you are doing something philosophical with his work, are writing about a philosophical topic, and you probably are using many other philosophical resources, I don't see why it matters if Pollan is a philosopher or not to be used as a source, especially if it influences your thoughts.
 
How many philosophers have used literature or other forms of art as influence to start a project, as a source, or as a reference?
If Pollan writes about food, and you are writing a philosophical paper about food, I think whether he is a "philosopher" or not ultimatley does not matter.
 
I'm not sure if your professor is trying to get you to not use Pollan, but if you think he is a philosopher then great, if your professor thinks otherwise, then oh well. You can use Pollan as a source either way
 
Everyone is going to have different opinions of what philosophy is, or what makes a philosopher as you see above. What I think really matters is that your work is credible and what you are doing with it is philosophical regardless of the resources you use.

 

Riverstyx, I am in the same situation. When I log in to my application, it is the same. I do not know what this means either! I am hoping not a rejection but am also preparing myself for that possibility. Maybe they haven't sent out all of the rejections yet?