Friday, January 23, 2004
On "Philosophy"
I had a friend once say to me:
"I work with a guy who was a philosophy major, like you. You're pretty good . . . but I think he could take you in an argument."
As if the "love" of "wisdom" -- the study of what is real, what is correct, and what can be known -- is just a debate that had better conclude before lunch ends! Or as Socrates put it:
"It seems that when he says 'Socrates', he makes use of my name, merely taking me as an example -- as if to say, 'The wisest amongst you, human beings, is anyone like Socrates who has recognized that with respect to wisdom he is truly worthless."
"I work with a guy who was a philosophy major, like you. You're pretty good . . . but I think he could take you in an argument."
As if the "love" of "wisdom" -- the study of what is real, what is correct, and what can be known -- is just a debate that had better conclude before lunch ends! Or as Socrates put it:
"It seems that when he says 'Socrates', he makes use of my name, merely taking me as an example -- as if to say, 'The wisest amongst you, human beings, is anyone like Socrates who has recognized that with respect to wisdom he is truly worthless."
