The Philosopher.. I am afraid I am. But if you knew Philosophers better you would realize that it is a habit of ours to jest about serious matters. It is one of our short-cuts to wisdom. Read your Plato and William James again. Delightful humorists, both of them, I assure you. I fear you went to them too soberly, and in too much of a hurry.
The Lady. Doubtless your jokes have a historic sanctity, since you say so, but I do not feel that they have advanced our inquiry very much.
The Philosopher. I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes. What do you want to know?
The Lady. I want to know what is the use of thinking?
The Philosopher. Ah, my jest was not in vain, if it provoked you to that. I should call that question the evidence of a real thought.
The Lady. Well, what is the answer?
The Philosopher. Oh, please don’t stop, now that you have made such a good start! Think again, and answer your own question.
The Lady. Hm....
The Philosopher. Yes?
The Lady. I was thinking of Newton and the apple. If it hadn’t been for Newton’s ability to think, he would never have formulated the law of gravitation.