40

1908 Nov 11
Logic
24

You shall be convinced that I was not making fun of you, by any
means, although I will not promise not to make fun of your
declaration (which you do not believe) that you are only a figment of
my creation and at the same time that you are an Idea, both of
which are decidedly funny. On the contrary, you are a living man
capable of being convinced (as an Idea would not be,) as you know
quite as well as I do; and furthermore you are a man that is not
passion's slave; and how thoroughly true it is that I hold you in
my heart's core you shall discover. Your specific objection
shall be obviated too; but you have said much else, and I prefer
to begin by considering your most general remark, and to
descend from that consideration to particulars.

In the first place, then, the plan of setting forth philoso-