Buenas Noches from a Frozen Lake
Thank you from Georgian Bay
This note is a thank you for reading and supporting my work over the past few years. Today I've wrapped up new writing for an academic paper exploring the principles of Neither/Nor.
The paper presents a philosophical framework that treats conceptual thinking (reason/abstraction) and experiential knowledge (perception/action) as complementary, practicable skills that can be deliberately alternated. I argue that this alternation can reduce suffering, as well as used to evaluate claims across disciplines and even to revolutionize them.
As you'll know from this newsletter, I bring ancient philosophical traditions to bear on contemporary concerns. I assert that methodological attention to these two modes of knowing can help us navigate personal challenges, embark on healthy philosophical inquiry, and embrace an adventurous life.
I feel incredibly lucky to be writing this from a retreat with other writers, on a frozen Georgian Bay, in Ontario, Canada. It’s been as low as -28° C, which has kept our walks brisk.
This kind of focused writing time is made possible by your support. Whether you engage by reading, sharing your own ideas, or conversing with me — you help make this work possible.
If you'd like to support this work financially, you can upgrade to a paid subscription here, subscribe on Patreon, or make a one-time contribution via Ko-fi. Your support has made this retreat possible. Most importantly, thank you for being part of this journey of exploration and discovery.
The piece is not done yet — I’m still cutting it down.
It needs to be at around 8,000 words, and it’s still over 10,000. But that’s progress from 25,000 last year!
I hope this finds you well, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Bryan
Photo of me taken by famous substacker Catherine Woodiwiss of This Feels Important*.