Aristotle

[americanlit]

As everyone knows, Aristotle said, "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." How can one actually achieve this?

[mayneverhave]

As everyone knows, Aristotle said, "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." How can one actually achieve this?

It really isn't that far fetched. As an atheist, I can read and enjoy the imagery, technique of a biblical passage without investing any measure of belief in the literal nature of any of it. It doesn't have to be confined to the realm of modern belief however. I know of no one personally who still worships Greek gods, and therefore everyone that reads the Iliad, or the Oresteia is in some degree entertaining beliefs that they would never accept.

On the level of argument, on this very forum I constantly read arguments or ideas that I ultimately cannot accept, but that I can enjoy and entertain the possibility of acceptance.