| I might further note that some people distrust me on the basis that, among other things, I write publicity pieces, and do it well; that I obviously tend to choose words carefully, and am glib enough to sound like I have taken trouble even when the words flow; and that I obviously restrain my true feelings for the sake of elaborate politeness. Furthermore, some people think that I am pedantic, because I attribute ideas that I think will be helpful to the philosophers who originated them, and try to explain them well. In addition, some people think that I am much too arrogant, because I take some pride in my erudition, and am pretty confident in most of my opinions. Let's see: a number of people seem to assume that I am "uptight" because of the way in which I regard moral issues, and I seem to detect a hint that I must be neurotic in some jibes. The fact that I believe in God, despite reservations about any particular religion, is taken, by some, as a weakness and a crutch, an inability to adopt a truly contemporary point of view, and a kind of immaturity. I am sure I could go on, but the why bother? I have made my point: recognizing and relating derogatory opinions about oneself or others, does not amount to endorsement, partial or whole........ |
