A Philosophical Life

Socrates said that true philosophy could not be written down because it dies, lying sterile and static on the page. True philosophy takes place in conversation. Twentieth Century academic philosophy strays very much from this ancient insight and admonition and survives mainly through the journals, essays, books, and other written materials scrutinized by student and colleague alike. William C. Gentry was both an academic philosopher, perfectly willing to engage in the philosophical 'conversations' of the written word and, more importantly, a true philosopher, in the Platonic and Socratic style. Engaging with those around him in discourse, in live conversations, which are the vehicle of actual philosophical inquiry and discovery. These essays are the product of those conversations. Gentry's thoughts consisted of investigations into the deepest and most profound questions of human nature, ethics, and knowledge. This volume is a tribute both to his role as a teacher and philosopher. As a teacher, friend, and colleague, Gentry was the epitome of the philosopher: questioning, exploring, critiquing, discovering.