March 1, 2009 · Filed under Epistemology, Layer 6: Quotes · Tagged abailard, audience, bombastic, classics in logic, common language, communication, complicated words, effective communication, Epistemology, golden key, improper word choice, inform, informative, informing, key, keys, language, obscurity, peter abailard, philosophical quotes, philosophy, philosophy quotes, quotes, sic et non, slang, uncertainty, understanding, understanding words, vernacular, wood, wooden key, word choice
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For what avails correct speech that is not understood by the hearer, when there is no reason whatever for speaking, if what we say is not understood by those to whose understanding we are appealing. The teacher, then, will shun all words that do not inform. It is a mark of a noble character to love the truth in words, not the words. For what is the purpose of a golden key, if it cannot open what we want? Or what objection is there to a wooden key, if it is effective, since we seek only to reveal what is concealed?
Peter Abailard. “Obscurity as Sources of Error.” Sic et Non. Reprinted in Classics in Logic. Ed. Dagobert D. Runes. New York: Philosophical Library, 1962. p. 3
February 8, 2009 · Filed under History, Layer 6: Quotes · Tagged current events, experience, experiencing history, freedom, g.w.f. hegel, hegel, hegel's introduction to the philosophy of history, historical, History, introduction to the philosophy of history, lessons, lessons learned, philosophical, philosophical quotes, philosophy, philosophy of history, philosophy quotes, present, present times, quotes, the present, world events
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Rulers, statesmen, and nations are told that they ought to learn from the experience of history. Yet what experience and history teach us is this, that nations and governments have never anything from history, nor acted in accordance with the lessons to be derived from it. Each era has such particular circumstances, such individual situations, that decisions can only be made from within the era itself. In the press of world events, there is no help to be had from general principles, nor from the memory of similar conditions in former times — for a pale memory has no force against the vitality and freedom of the present.
G.W.F. Hegel. Introduction to the Philosophy of History. Trans. Leo Rauch. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company Inc., 1988. p. 8
