Undergrad student: I just really can't reconcile these obvious contradictions in the text. Why can't we just say the author [name redacted] is wrong?!
Professor: Well, it really comes down to whether or not you have an aristocratic or democratic sensibility...
Undergrad student: Excuse me?
Professor: If you have a democratic soul, you will always have an impulse to finally reconcile the whole with the parts. You won't be able to live with contradiction; parts that don't fit with the whole will have to be ignored or discarded. If you have an aristocratic soul, you will be able to appreciate contradiction and realize it is often the most interesting part of any text. You will be able to fall in love with great authors, while still remaining critical of their work.
Two hours later...
Me, to a friend: I always knew I was an aristocrat! And today, Professor [name redacted] just confirmed it. Score!
3 comments:
Names redacted, FLG. For a reason.
But I won't say you're wrong.
Post a Comment