I am a philosopher both by temperament and training. Although I retired from the Academy, I have not retired from teaching. As ever, I hope to enlighten, and perhaps enliven intellectual give and take. Most of what I know I learned from others, and be it little or much, all that I state with confidence comes from subjecting it to be tested by others. However, difference of opinion is worthless until we achieve consensus, for then we can at least be comforted in sinking below the waves together. But, perhaps we can make some improvements in each other before we do so.