Confessions of a Gadfly?

Socrates, the original gadfly

Do you ever think you know what a word means and use it in your mistaken way only to find out that you didn't have it quite right?

 That's what happened to me the other day. It's embarrassing for a wordsmith to admit it. If I'm not sure of a word, I usually look it up. But when you think you know a word's meaning, you tend to just use it. And that's what I did.

I had to empty the dishwasher and put everything away. Whenever I do that it's with a sigh. You would think it was one of the tasks of Hercules. It was all I could do to force myself to complete the task and, in fact, I stopped with the dishwasher half empty to do something else. 

You are Entering a Free Speech Zone Where All Kinds of Ideas Can be Cordially Discussed and Debated!

Yes, indeed, this blog is free speech zone. I enjoy discussing and debating ideas (in the classical sense). It helps us all grow in wisdom and truth and also helps develop the skills of critical thinking, research, and analysis. You may wonder, then, (or maybe you don't) why I moderate all the comments.

Do You Listen to Gossip, Slander, and Detraction: Learn a Lesson from Socrates!

I receive a daily devotional from the SSPX. The other day this fascinating meditation and story about Socrates gave me an intriguing insight into the need to close our ears to gossip, slander, and detraction. When we "listen," we become guilty of the same sin as the tale-bearer. 

What a life's ambition Socrates had -- to pursue truth and encourage others to join him. Imagine the difference we would see in our culture if knowing and spreading truth were the central goal of every man and woman on the planet. 

Consider...God is Truth, so if you are searching for truth, you are searching for God. I once said that to an abortion supporter named Dan at an Operation Rescue event in Washington, D.C. I told him that he seemed to me to be a young man searching for the truth and, if you are searching for truth, you are searching for God. That happened over 30 years ago and I still pray for Dan today. I hope he is pursuing truth and has found it in Jesus Christ.

Sunday Meditation: What We Can Learn from Socrates -- Humility!

It's easy to go through life just meeting the challenges of the moment. We live in a noisy and busy world and it's easy never to seriously reflect on life and the big questions. Why am I here? What am I meant to do? Where am I going?

The Greek philosopher Socrates said the "unexamined life is not worth living." What did he mean? He was seeker after truth. And, in fact, he spent his life pursuing it and looking for someone who was wise. He never found anyone and came to realize that wisdom lay in knowing how little we know. Socrates never wrote anything, but his pupil, Plato, did and we have him to thank for what we know of Socrates. In the Apology Plato attributed this to Socrates:

Is Logic Dead? Situation Ethics Seems More Alive than Ever!

Socrates was forced to drink Hemlock for asking
questions that disturbed people. Sound familiar?

I was browsing blogs today and am disheartened by the apparent inability to think on the part of seemingly intelligent people whom I believe love the faith. 

Two I read are totally on board with Francis mercy and both engaged in condemning "rigidity" as in, the cardinals who issued the Dubia are "rigid" for asking five simple yes and no questions about how to interpret Amoris Laetitia. 

The bishops of Argentina, on the other hand, who developed a creative and loose approach to doctrine that undermines the moral law are compassionate. 

Oh gosh! I recognize this. Been there, done that. It's Situation Ethics all over again. I think I'm back in Mr. Reilly's immoral moral theology class at Trinity!

Please, wake me up; I think I'm having a nightmare!