Why should I identify myself with anybody else? What if I prefer to speak on my own, without becoming somebody else's adept? There are thousands of books that I have never read, without even knowing, sometimes, about their existence. There are those who read some of these books and who are well acquainted with the overall stand of their authors. Should this circumstance influence my thought in any respect? Why, I can think myself, and I may have read many other books possibly unknown to the others—shall I despise them for ignorance?

Browsing conceptual links is indeed an interesting occupation on itself, and historical studies can be most stimulating, bringing more food for thought. However, this has nothing to do with thinking as such, or with communicating thoughts.

I might like mentioning some author from time to time, and my conversation partner might like checking the reference, which would entirely be his or her own inclination, a private affair. Nobody is obliged to react to references, however famous.

The roundabout manner of expression may have its positive sides; but, in a serious discussion, one should better prefer explicitness. Talking with anybody, I need to catch their own position, and not the position of Aristotle, Marx, or Mr. President.