“Once Steve Fuller said that there is this idea that your responsibility as an intellectual is just to speak the truth as you see it. But actually, you should be more appreciative of what needs to be said. I don't think that's ever an excuse to say something you don't believe is true - but sometimes the emphasis has to be different. Well, if I'm talking to an audience of hardline atheists, I'll be trying to unsettle them a bit more, whereas, if I'm speaking to an audience of believers, I'll be giving them more of the pros of atheism. It's about having a sensitivity to context.” ThinkingGivingTryingBelieveDifferentSometimesSpeakResponsibilityAudienceAtheismIntellectualAtheistExcuseBelieverSensitivitySpeak The TruthAppreciative Author:Julian Baggini
“Life is full of what-ifs, many of which could easily have been realities, had just a few things been different.” IfsHas BeensDifferentRealityLife Is Author:Julian Baggini
“Stress means something different if it is the result of rewarding work rather than struggling to keep the family out of debt.” IfsMeanDifferentResultsStruggleStressDebt Author:Julian Baggini
“Untested assumptions and lazy habits of thought can be shown up, once put in a spotlight of a different hue.” DifferentHabitAssumptionLazySpotlightHue Author:Julian Baggini
“Constructive complaint requires only two things: that what you are complaining about should be different, and that it can be different. It sounds simple, but too often our protests fail this test.” ShouldTwoDifferentSoundSimpleFailingTestsComplainingTwo ThingsProtestComplaintsConstructive Author:Julian Baggini
“Trade has played a vital role in the social evolution of humankind. It allowed people to specialise, which raises both skill levels and efficiency. It brought people from different lands together, co-operating rather than competing over resources.” PeopleDifferentTogetherSocialLevelsRolesLandEvolutionSkillsResourcesRaisesTradeHumankindEfficiencyCompeting Author:Julian Baggini
