Beware the irrational, however seductive. Shun the ‘transcendent’ and all who invited you to subordinate or annihilate yourself. Distrust compassion; prefer dignity for yourself and others. Don’t be afraid to be thought arrogant or selfish. Picture all experts as if they were mammals. Never be a spectator of unfairness or stupidity. Seek out argument and disputation for their own sake; the grave will supply plenty of time for silence. Suspect your own motives, and all excuses. Do not live for others any more than you would expect others to live for you.
-Christopher Hitchems, Letters to a Young Contrarian
(Via Alan Johnson)
I liked Christopher, we share that name, and his writing, but I would never consider him as a useful teacher of philosophy. Quite the opposite actually.
Hitch did well for himself,by not being a coward. When his “friend”,Sidney Blumenthal,tried to slime Lewinsky he had the guts to expose it. This was not a one off either. As the Brits would say, “He had form”. Is there anyone else on the left who would have done that? Of course not,since their courage comes from being part of the pack.
If there is a heaven,there is a place for him in it.