Precisely why I assert that Democrats are sophists and conservatives are philosophers.Talk show hosts have to take on all comers, or the audience will notice the “dogs that don’t bark.” And they have to accord dissenting views some respect. Well, guess what! A “liberal” cannot pull that off, and look good. Only an articulate, knowledgable conservative can.
- sophist
- 1542, earlier sophister (c.1380), from L. sophista, sophistes, from Gk. sophistes, from sophizesthai "to become wise or learned," from sophos "wise, clever," of unknown origin. Gk. sophistes came to mean "one who gives intellectual instruction for pay," and, contrasted with "philosopher," it became a term of contempt. Ancient sophists were famous for their clever, specious arguments.
- philosopher
- O.E. philosophe, from L. philosophus, from Gk. philosophos "philosopher," lit. "lover of wisdom," from philos "loving" + sophos "wise, a sage."
"Pythagoras was the first who called himself philosophos, instead of sophos, 'wise man,' since this latter term was suggestive of immodesty." [Klein]
And that is why we see “conservative” talk show hosts responding to “liberal” journalists. The “liberals” do best when they monopolize the microphone. Which works in journalism.
That explains why ‘Air America’ failed and why FOX (wanting to be ‘fair and balanced’) doesn’t have any liberal talk show hosts... Good catch there conservatism_IS_compassion...