Notes from a Philosopher

Neven Sesardic provides an interesting, um, philosophical argument.

Today's Maxwell Quote

From this great talk:

Dull disciples will not light the way nor draw people to the kingdom. The philosophies of the world cannot do it, for so far as having some saving and consequential core to them, such philosophies are like peeling an onion. Perhaps that is why we cry when we peel onions.

Today's Maxwell Quote

From Of One Heart (1975), 36:

The philosophies of the world at their best are but strands of truth, several times diminished. Some men are delighted to take such threads, weaving these inferior strands into tapestries in which they glory more than in the whole truth itself.

Today's Maxwell Quote

From Deposition of a Disciple (1976), 89-90:

Paul warned about the early Saints being spoiled "through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." (Colossians 2:8.) Combine that scripture with the tardy but truthful admission of Korihor, an "anti-Christ" and a clever man of devilish dialectic, who said he taught as he had taught because he had been tutored and deceived by the devil, appearing as an angel, because the concepts "were pleasing unto the carnal mind"; and because he had so much success, he really came to believe his words were true! (Alma 30:53.) . . .

Because it is a special case, it is also especially illuminating. Classic cases help us to deal with ancillary cases. For instance, the "caving in" to Korihor of so many otherwise good people made his movement and method self-reinforcing; attachment to true doctrines dissolved before him, not because the doctrines were faulty, but for the reasons elaborated. False doctrines are carnally convenient!