an online book by David Gurteen
The Separation of the Learned from the conversible World seems to have been the great Defect of the last Age, and must have had a very bad Influence both on Books and Company: For what Possibility is there of finding Topics of Conversation fit for the Entertainment of rational Creatures, without having Recourse sometimes to … Continue reading The Separation of the Learned From the Conversible World David Hume (1742)
Meaning of Conversible ‘Conversible’ is an interesting old-fashioned word not widely used today. ‘Conversible’ means “sociable, inclined to converse or talk with others”. It describes someone who enjoys and is skilled at conversation. Some examples of using it in a sentence are: John is quite conversible and can chat with anyone about anything. He’s a … Continue reading The Conversible World ** The sphere of human interaction and exchange of ideas
In his essay Of Essay-Writing, the Scottish philosopher David Hume distinguishes between two distinct realms of intellectual discourse: the learned and the conversible. As Hume describes them, the learned are those who gravitate towards solitary contemplation, delving into the “higher and more difficult operations of the mind.” They are the thinkers and scholars deeply engrossed … Continue reading Two Realms of Intellectual Discourse ** The learned and the conversible
