Agreed! I immediately thought of Callard and the injunction for philosophizing is that it cannot be done alone in one’s head — it must be in dialogue with another. What gets muddy for me is the role of gossip versus good faith Socratic dialogue. Austen uses gossip as the prime mover of plot and it is shown more often than not to be a negative force. I suppose one can dissect gossip into categories or show that some things labeled gossip are not really gossip by some definition. A few years ago I tried to follow the rules of the Toltec as defined in the book “The Four Agreements,” by Miguel Ruiz. I refused to participate in any discussions that entailed gossip — both not offering or listening. My life became much more peaceful. Although, I will concede there can be a small benefit to gossip when it actually contains facts — not opinion or lies.
Very thought provoking post! I wonder what Adam Smith would make of mindfulness. A lot of this post resonated with me, and is more action orientated, but I also see the value of mindfulness and introspection.
Something Socratic about this, too—Callard’s “kinship command” qua “impartial spectator”?
Oh interesting hadn’t thought of that…
Agreed! I immediately thought of Callard and the injunction for philosophizing is that it cannot be done alone in one’s head — it must be in dialogue with another. What gets muddy for me is the role of gossip versus good faith Socratic dialogue. Austen uses gossip as the prime mover of plot and it is shown more often than not to be a negative force. I suppose one can dissect gossip into categories or show that some things labeled gossip are not really gossip by some definition. A few years ago I tried to follow the rules of the Toltec as defined in the book “The Four Agreements,” by Miguel Ruiz. I refused to participate in any discussions that entailed gossip — both not offering or listening. My life became much more peaceful. Although, I will concede there can be a small benefit to gossip when it actually contains facts — not opinion or lies.
Very thought provoking post! I wonder what Adam Smith would make of mindfulness. A lot of this post resonated with me, and is more action orientated, but I also see the value of mindfulness and introspection.
Well, I’m sold. Know something of both but hadn’t seen the connections. Thanks Henry.
More to come!