Somewhat Philosophical

I devoted some of my reading time recently to texts that were philosophical in nature – Popper’s The Open Society and Its Enemies, Volume One and Russell’s The Problems of Philosophy. Both are readable in the sense that their writers are genuinely attempting to use language in a way that clarifies and illuminates rather than obscures. But both provide some difficult reading, especially Russell, even though the book is so short. I remember first encountering The Problems of Philosophy as a set text for first year philosophy when I was at university. It wasn’t easy then and time, alas, has not helped make it any easier for me now. Although I think it’s fair to say that some chapters are fairly straightforward, like the one on induction, which is why you feel assured that Russell is never deliberately being obscure.

The odd thing about reading philosophy is that you never feel you’ve finished a book, even if you’ve made it to the end.

On another matter entirely, it’s been raining like billyho this afternoon and Noi has just discovered two leaks in the house. That’s the thing about a house: it’s never really finished even when you think you’ve had it built as soundly as possible.