The Inspiring Type of French Philosophy

A quotation I came across today which I must share with you all:

"Furthermore, if one remembers the history of the word atheism, and how it has been applied even to Spinoza, the most positive of philosophers, we must admit that all thinking which displaces, or otherwise defines, the sacred has been called atheistic, and that philosophy which does not place it here or there, like a thing, but at the joining of things and words, will always be exposed to this reproach without ever being touched by it."

Marice Merleau-Ponty, In Praise of Philosophy, 46.

I could not have put it better, so I won't try.

Found an interesting clip on youtube. Not sure about the images, but the audio is very interesting indeed.

I waded through the slush that the snow had become this morning to get my hair cut and did some laundry when I got home. I found myself thinking about Van Gogh and his coffee addiction, then I had some coffee. Then I had lunch, and some coffee, and am about to carry on with Gabriel Marcel's autobiography, perhaps over another cup of coffee. He does not, so far, appear to have been convinced by the Roman Catholicism to which he converted. He claimed to be painfully aware of the fact that applying his critical acumen to biblical texts, for instance, would destroy his faith - so he didn't. He rested assured in the knowledge that intelligent friends of his had examined the basis of their religious faith and it was still intact for them.

A deeply fascinating thinker, sadly neglected, whose life and work were of a piece. I toyed with the idea of putting on one of his plays...

P.S. One thing I forgot to mention: I saw a squirrel being bludgeoned to death yesterday. I assume it was injured and not epileptic. I hope so. Imagine being bludgeoned to death in the throes of something from which you would otherwise have recovered. Not a pretty thought for a Thursday afternoon. I think I'll put the coffee on to cheer myself up.