Reply to Russell

John W. Burgeson (burgy@compuserve.com)
Sat, 21 Jun 1997 15:39:31 -0400

Russell wrote: "But if someone goes beyond mere intellectual curiosity
(which, by
the way, I hardly think is "mere"), doesn't that imply that they
are bringing something more subjective into it?"

Without a doubt. The thing one brings to it is a willingness to commit to
the answer.
That is tough to do. I know.

Ms. Ferguson used the word "mere" in the above to make a comparison
to the acquiring of knowledge where no personal committment is required. I
share your questioning attitude about the word, but I suspect that it is
more due to the difference people in England use the word compared with us
in the west than anything else.

Burgy (from Durango; just far enough west)