I’m feeling a little pessimistic today. If my sources are right, the world is setting itself up for solipsistic fanaticism from every side.

My impression: the best may be gradually gaining conviction, but not as fast as the worst are filling themselves with passionate intensity.

*

Renewed commitment to scientific method, re-conceived more expansively, follows civil war.

See Leviathan and the Air-Pump and The Metaphysical Club.

*

Scientific method alone is transcendent. Religious “enthusiasm” is entirely about egoistic reductionism. I’ve been there. It is fun. It is bad.