The reason is simple - libraries want to include files relative to library top directory, and do not want to count on include path. And relative include resolution rules in PHP not clear to all, so people prefer to be sure. The downside here is that this expression is dynamic - executed at run-time. Meaning it's slower and less toolable and also makes a bad habit of putting dynamic things into include (which is not a problem here, since it's "static dynamic" thing, but still a bad habit).

His suggestion has merit, and, according to the comments on the post, the reception seems like it would be positive.