Margo and I were watching a TV show about tigers in the jungles of Asia. They are very fearsome beasts and you don’t want to mess with them.  A man 6’6″ and weighing 300 pounds, well-trained in the martial arts to boot is scary enough but a tiger 7′ long and weighing 600 pounds is really something.  In fact, something else, and even something else, again. He has twice the speed of any person, the agility of your siamese cat, and he has claws that make Flojo’s famous fingernails look like they were bitten off. His teeth make Dracula’s fangs seem as if they were filed down to the gum line.  His massive head can hold a pit bull’s head in his own and with a quick snap he can guillotine the poor, overrated creature. 

SG: I don’t know many men who could get the better of a tiger.

Margo: I know.

SG: In fact, I am the only person in the world who can defeat a tiger with my bare hands.

M: I am not sure about that.

SG: What?  You doubt my veracity?

M: I didn’t say that.  I just think it is possible you are wrong.

SG: Well, you might as well say I am wrong when I tell you a tiger can easily handle a 90 year old blind quadriplegic. 

M: You may be wrong about that, too.  

SG: Why do you say such a crazy thing?

M: I studied philosophy. With you, remember?  You persuaded me of the truth of empiricism.  No matters of fact are absolutely certain.

SG: That was just classroom baloney.  You don’t believe what you are saying.

M: Do you doubt my veracity?

SG: Maybe you don’t know what you really think.

M: That, too, is an empirical claim.  You happen to be wrong.

SG: I just don’t see how I could be wrong about this.

M: Poor Dad.  I think you need a refresher course in philosophy.  You are a pretty good guy but I’m afraid you are beginning to lose it.

SG: What should I do?

M: I’m giving a course called Good Thinking next year at Washtenaw Community College.  I can let you attend free of charge.

SG: I’ll be there.