Should Philosophers Be Loners?

Egon: Why did you keep quoting Plato at me over dinner?
 Tina: Why not? His ideas seemed relevant to what you were saying.
 Egon: Never mind what Plato thought, I care about what I think. Authentic philosophizing is a first-person singular activity. I must do it for myself. No one else can do it for me. I can’t do it for anyone else.
 Tina: So why are you talking philosophy to me?
 Egon: I’m telling you to do it for yourself.
 Tina: Isn’t that for me to decide?
 Egon: Yes, but I can still put ideas into your head. It’s up to you whether you accept them.
 Tina: Why should I?
 Egon: You’re a rational person.
 Tina: Thanks.

  By Timothy Williamson / continue