a responsible skeptic, The Mechanics of Virtue, aphorism 267

267


The task of a responsible skeptic is similar to the sculptor's, every chisel blow declaring, “I am not this and not that” ... and what he leaves untouched and in full form is human in all its beauty and power.  What usually happens with skepticism, however, is that the display of the skeptic becomes the goal.  The form hidden in the marble remains incidental to the unconscious goal of skeptical display.  The skeptic sets the chisel to the head of the matter, sends that head flying to the ground, and the audience is captivated.  But why not preserve a reality to represent his capacity to chisel?  This was a sort of display that he could not attain because he found sufficient gratification in immediate display and applause.  He probably even worked harder than the artist.  He certainly suffered more, for he has nothing to show in the end.

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