Sublime

conjecture.

paradoxical

aphorisms

New ideas emerge through discussion and the examination, analysis, and criticism of other people’s ideas.

They encouraged their students to disagree and criticize ideas as a means of refining them and coming up with new and different ones.

Journal,

How do we perceive the world around us, and do things exist independently of our perception? What is the relationship between our mind and body, and is there such a thing as an immortal soul?

Constructing a reasoned argument involves using language carefully and accurately, examining our statements and arguments to make sure they mean what we think they mean; and when we study other people’s arguments, we have to analyze not only the logical steps they take, but also the language they use, to see if their conclusions hold water.