To those of you who practice moderation and free thinking I raise a glass to you.

@Castenmas You said something foolish. It was sophomoric and appeals to emotion. I work from reality. Makes more sense. And kid? "Triggered?" That word is done. It's used by foolish rubes who are intellectually limited. Just so you know.
I commented on your post because of your first line. "You haven't been indoctrinated by the left or right." That's just silly. It's a failed attempt by some to appear "independent." Like they're 'free-thinkers." It's a jack off.
And you're the guy who posted the video from Prager U. about the guy dressing in a sombrero, right? And you want to be taken seriously? While clearly having ZERO understanding of how videos like that are created and why? You just swallowed it and ran with it, right? Pretty gutsy to pop off about the indoctrination of others man. Enjoy Malta bro. A place with two parties. It's always good to stay in our lanes.

@Ynotisay As I said. A triggered over emotional response.

But I’m led to an understand from other SWers that this is to be expected from you. It’s all you’ve got. With that in mind, go and have the day you deserve.

@Really
Start by reading the post and next read my comment in that context.

@SUPERVlXEN Your comment has no context other than the mysterious, undefined "it".

@Really

@val70 Pascal

@revenant Ah yes, the benefits outweigh anything else :) For both the main question was about the dangers of zealotry, of serious religious belief (for Montaigne), or the dangers of the lack of zealotry (for Pascal). Whenever I think of Pascal's famous saying that it is the heart that feels God and not reason, well, I go back in my memories of staying at my grandparents. They didn't go to church but had great faith. There was enough scared heart imaginary around for that. It's a real pity that people nowadays are more interested in how to use smartphones correctly than finding true and long lasting spirituality

@val70 @val70 I seriously try to be open minded.

There are hundreds; maybe thousands of books I have read; and millions, perhaps billions I have not (Including anything I recall, written by anyone called Montaigne.) - none of which prevents me from being open minded. Why do you think it would?

Oh, I looked for something by Montaigne (do you think he was open minded?) and found this:

'"Valour has its bounds as well as other virtues, which, once transgressed,
the next step is into the territories of vice; so that by having too
large a proportion of this heroic virtue, unless a man be very perfect in
its limits, which upon the confines are very hard to discern, he may very
easily unawares run into temerity, obstinacy, and folly. From this
consideration it is that we have derived the custom, in times of war, to
punish, even with death, those who are obstinate to defend a place that
by the rules of war is not tenable; otherwise men would be so confident
upon the hope of impunity, that not a henroost but would resist and seek
to stop an army.'"

I have I have no reason to read anything written in such a convoluted, antiquated style. There is plenty of modern thoughtfully written philosophy that's easily accessible in both senses of the word.

I do enjoy Kierkegaard among others - "The thinker without a paradox is a paltry mediocrity" (Either/Or)

I also appreciate fiction writers - Le Carré is one - who can quietly include social, political & philosophical thought within the stories they spin.

"This will require the elevation of pragmatism over ideology. It will require that both sides give up rights. Rights. Giving up rights is a hard thing to do. It will require that each side recognizes and acknowledges the pain and the suffering of the other. And it will require an end to the hateful attitudes and speech that some on each side direct against the other. - John Le Carré's character Amos in 'Absolute friends'."

In any case I read only for my own enjoyment and learning.

- So there! 😜

@SW-User You get a gold star!