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What does it mean to be a philosopher?

In four words, "unusually unforgiving of bromides."

Bromides are those set phrases people use to get by without a lot of thinking. When you hear someone say "whenever one door closes, another opens," do you feel compelled to ask them what exactly that means? How would we recognize an exception to this rule if we found one? Is it supposed to be a definitional statement or a factual generalization?

Or do you just nod and say "how true" and maybe rub your chin?

In the former case you are a philosopher. In the latter, not.
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