I never read your stuff, Massimo Pigliucci, without having the huge gaps in my education brought into sharp focus--yet you do this without patronizing or shaming me in any way. The way you weave in people and schools of thought that I know a bit about with those I really don't is masterful--thanks.
Eclectic in its common American usage encompasses everything from a grab-bag of incompatible things without reconciliation (people who claim to be Christians but believe in reincarnation) to a synthesis of two overlapping philosophies like you describe. I agree that we must be open to adopt better ideas when encountered and not be fundamentalists who encumber themselves with a rigid view: a past authority being the only guide to truth. After all, that’s what these past authors have done themselves; even when they don’t adopt a different view, they develop their own ideas because of dialogue with others. Thanks for a thoughtful essay and I look forward to starting my day again with your next essay
I never read your stuff, Massimo Pigliucci, without having the huge gaps in my education brought into sharp focus--yet you do this without patronizing or shaming me in any way. The way you weave in people and schools of thought that I know a bit about with those I really don't is masterful--thanks.
Was Socrates self confident as well as self skeptical?
Eclectic in its common American usage encompasses everything from a grab-bag of incompatible things without reconciliation (people who claim to be Christians but believe in reincarnation) to a synthesis of two overlapping philosophies like you describe. I agree that we must be open to adopt better ideas when encountered and not be fundamentalists who encumber themselves with a rigid view: a past authority being the only guide to truth. After all, that’s what these past authors have done themselves; even when they don’t adopt a different view, they develop their own ideas because of dialogue with others. Thanks for a thoughtful essay and I look forward to starting my day again with your next essay