It implies that there's an objective reality out there independent of my feelings or wishes. I inherit value rather than create it. When someone is 'honest' I know that they're based in reality, believe in truth, and likely are dependable. It gives you a gauge of character.

Authenticity just means being genuinely or truly something...so what is that something? Selfish? Childish? Loyal? Original? Crazy? Authenticity doesn't tell me much on its own. Saying "be honest" has a different effect...

Whenever I hear "be authentic" I wonder: Authentically *what*? For example, I have no reason to doubt that someone like Stalin or Pol Pot was inauthentic.

"Be your authentic self" is detached, if well intentioned, advice. "Look inside yourself! Find your true inner passion. You are amazing! Live according to your own true way. You do you!" These are flattering to the ego no doubt, but they're an empty gift (re: @nytdavidbrooks)

"Authenticity" has been a big deal for a while now. It's good advice to not pretend to be someone else or hold yourself to impossible standards, sure. But wouldn't it be better to say "be honest" rather than "be authentic"? 🧵👇

The great ideas are clothed in everyday language, often hiding in plain sight. The difference between the non-philosopher and the philosopher is awe and a drive for understanding. No degree required.

So while both the physicist and I both experience gravity, the physicist wonders more about it and tries to understand what's really going on. Same thing with philosophy (Except the language of philosophy is much more accessible IMO).

Think about gravity. Its effects are all around us. It's about as familiar as anything gets. Experiencing gravity isn't remarkable generally. Yet physicists spend a great deal of thought, research, and work to try and understand it better.

Sure, these are ordinary and commonplace words. That's because they deal with ordinary ideas (good, truth, beauty). But ordinary and commonplace doesn't necessarily mean well thought out, pondered, or understood.

Ask yourself, how many times have you said the word "good" today, or even this week. It's probably said at least once a day, probably before you even eat breakfast. ("Good morning!") The same with "true", and "beautiful".

"Philosophy" is a dead word for many, conjuring up confusing texts, irrelevant and pedantic questioning, and/or pointless navel-gazing. That's not only too bad, but it's plain wrong. You deal in philosophy daily, and here's the proof...

No doubt, there is a connection between love and the intellect. More on this subject here:

The same thing with music. Before 2020, I didn't really know much about Beethoven. Then I listened to a series of talks by L. Bernstein and began to see his genius. That increase in knowledge led to (what is turning into) a newfound love for Beethoven.

Point being: With zero knowledge of the subtle features I am barred from enjoying the world of wine and cheese to their fullest.

But is this principle right? Is the logic sound? If we try swapping out “men” for wine, music, or poetry, this seems to work well. I am at least ordinary in my appreciation for cheeses and wines. My palate wouldn’t know Pinot noir from a Chardonnay, or a Camembert from a Cotija.

I’ve picked up reading Blaise Pascal’s Pensées lately and this statement made me wonder: “The greater the intellect one has, the more originality one finds in men. Ordinary persons find no difference between men." Do you agree?

What is philosophical genius? 👉Right Action that is freely chosen and done to the best of one's abilities. That's what it comes down to: something both simple and quite practical. Philosophy exists to help us understand what we mean by 'Right', 'free', and 'best'.

You can read it for free on this lovely website: https://t.co/leWegnOtj2

But I don't think it would. We don't become non-conformists (and men) by doing 'things' differently. It's done by being self-reliant: by using our minds, by being our real self. It's done by doing the singular work only you can do.

That's from Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay "Self Reliance" I've wondered though, if everyone took his advice, wouldn't that create a new conformity?