perspicuity: from the notebooks of craig swanson
Introduction to the Perspicuity Review Web Site
The word perspicuous means clearly presented or easily understood. Perspicuity - which has a nicer ring and rhythm to it - is the quality of being perspicuous. Both share an etymological root with perspective: from the Latin perspicere, to inspect or to look through : per- (intensive) + specere, to look. (From The American Heritage Dictionary, 2nd Ed., 1985)
The Perspicuity Review’s primary mission is to eschew obfuscation.
Just kidding. This magazine’s primary mission is clarity. It will be a growing collection of words and pictures dedicated to clearly discussed ideas. Equally important is a focus on the process of creating and generating ideas — a process I call good thinking.
Good thinking is more than just critical thought. It’s an attitude which values the exploration for true ideas over the defense of preconceived opinions. It requires the self-confidence and self-assuredness to believe and trust in your thoughts, along with the ability to listen to and consider ideas which differ from your own. It requires the courage to modify your views when you see that they are wrong. It is the only process by which a person can understand why they believe what they do. Good thinking requires quiet time, requires an awareness of the environment, and to some extent, a shutting down of the senses. And good thinking is much more. It is one of the grandest adventures in living — for Spinoza there was no grander.
October 5th, 2007 at 9:43 am
bolshy fried chicken