Clarity Of Thought

In troubled times it's comforting to be able to read material of such clarity of thought and expression that it offers hope for our benighted species. For some time now I've found that especially true of my favourite right-wing, conservatively Catholic philosopher Ed Feser, whose political views, on paper, might to be some degree be seen as diametrically opposed to my own. So it's no surprise that he's taken a typically principled position on the notion of a just war.

And a more recent post outlining his ideas on the nature of various addictions struck me as being one of the most insightful things I've ever read on a particularly difficult topic. Funnily enough it draws on the ideas of another philosopher that in terms of political affiliations I really should have no time for at all, and yet invariably read with gratitude for what he has helped me understand. The two passages Prof Feser quotes from Scruton's excellent little book on Beauty struck me as very interesting when I first read them back at the end of last year (if memory serves me well.) Rereading them makes me realise just how deeply insightful they are.

All this reminds me that I need to consciously read outside what I'm comfortable with socially & politically at least 20% of the time - advice I freely offer to all.