Ades Philosophy Column

In this article I would like to try and reach some of those readers who usually just skip over the Philosophy Col.

First, put the thought that I am a world renowned Philosopher to the back of your mind. Try and imagine I am just an ordinary person like you. This is a technique devised by yours truly to ensure readers are not overwhelmed by the sheer magnitued of my thought processes.

To put it another way, here I am, brain the size of a planet and expected to communicate with mere mortals, it's not an easy task, a bit like trying to teach an ant the times tables (and that's ant, not aunt).

Anyway, a conundrum that has interested Philosophers for years is the old optimist/pessimist view of a glass containing 50% liquid. The question, is the glass half empty or half full, some would say that both views are right but I can assure you that the problem is in fact the size of the glass. A smaller glass would give the much more simple, empty or full answer to the question and in this case only one of the answers would be right.

Now the doubters may say that the conundrum remains as you could drink half of the liquid in the smaller sized glass and be left with exactly the same descriptions. This is a pragmatist view which is totally alien to this philosopher and in any case my answer would once again be that the problem is still with the size of the glass.

So I hope this has given you something to ponder upon, and would welcome any correspondence from you lesser people so that I can keep you straight. Send your emails to ulpsterchurnal@googlemail.com marked for the attention of Ade

Ade x