71. If my friend were to imagine one day
that he had been living for a long time in such and such a place, etc. etc., I
should not call this a mistake, but
rather a mental disturbance, perhaps a transient one.
who’s to know – what he had in mind –
when he said what he said?
who’s to know for sure?
the point is –
if you’re smart about it –
you go with what you think is the case –
but you keep an open mind
there is no question of his friend –
making a mistake –
or not making a mistake –
what he said is open to question –
is open to doubt –
is uncertain
NB
if you say –
someone is ‘mentally disturbed’ –
because they say something –
you don’t understand –
really all you are doing –
is labelling –
your own ignorance
© greg t. charlton. 2009.
