Sunday, July 24, 2005
(7:44 PM) | Adam Kotsko:
"... that dangerous supplement"
From Clement of Alexandria, Stromata, book 6 (note for those keeping score: Stromata has only 7 "real" books and then one very short incomplete book, and Stromata is customarily listed last among the works of Clement):Now our Gnostic [Clement thinks that being a Gnostic is a good thing, because then you know stuff] always occupies himself with the things of highest importance. But if at any time he has leisure and time for relaxation from what is of prime consequence, he applies himself to Hellenic philosophy in preference to other recreation, feasting on it as a kind of dessert at supper. Not that he neglects what is superior; but that he takes this in addition, as long as proper, for the reasons I mentioned above. But those who give their mind to the unnecessary and superfluous points of philosophy, and addict themselves to wrangling sophisms alone, abandon what is necessary and most essential, pursuing plainly the shadows of words.According to Clement I've been getting chubby for several years -- eating minimal portions of the real thing, stuffing myself with dessert.
I wonder if we could say that here, in spirit, begins the calumny that philosophy is mental masturbation. (Make the connection from my title if necessary.)
