Hamlet and the secrets of decision-making
The most basic piece of wisdom about making good choices may simply be to remember that the facts are indispensable, decisions are inescapable, and we can never be infallible.
ReadTag: Reason & rationality
Is philosophy therapeutic?
“There is no profit in philosophy when it doesn’t expel the sufferings of the mind,” claimed Epicurus. Some 2,300 years later, plenty of people still agree, most notably Alain de Botton, who in 2000 splashed this quote on the back cover of his book The Consolations of Philosophy. But when I hear this line trotted out, far from soothing my psyche, it provokes a dangerous surge in my blood pressure.
ReadWhat is the benefit of doubt?
Used properly, doubt is neither a dead end, nor an obstacle to be overcome, but a guide. That is not to say, however, that it is merely a means to an end, something that can be left behind once it has done its task. In order to maintain an awareness of other perspectives, and to keep testing the robustness of your own, doubt always needs to be a close companion, asking the difficult questions.
ReadReview of Building: Isaiah Berlin’s Letters
In their introduction, the editors say: “If this is not one of the best letter-writers of the 20th century, we are ready to eat our respective hats.” Gentlemen, you can leave your hats on.
ReadShould we resolve our contradictions?
Is it really impossible to have your cake and eat it too? Only if you want to eat and keep all of it: there’s no contradiction in cutting a slice and keeping most for later. What can look like pedantry is actually a powerful rigour that can remove some contradictions by simply showing that they are no such thing.
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