Criticism

Professor Evans, who used to run the extra mural class in philosophy I attended, when he was at Oxford some time ago got friendly with the famous philosopher, Gilbert Ryle. His most famous book is called "The Concept of Mind". Both he and Evans at that time were dons at Oxford and Ryle was in the process of writing the book.
One day he asked Evans if he would like to read the first chapter of his new book; naturally Evans was delighted to do so.
When they next met Ryle asked him what he thought of it and Evans said that he thought it marvellous and that it was so good he found he had no criticism to make of it.
Professor Evans told us: "He never gave me Chapter 2 to read."
Ryle was not interested in receiving flattery, only in receiving criticism. You learn nothing from flattery; you learn a good deal from criticism.
People love to be flattered; makes them feel good. Criticism is, for many people, especially those like famous actors, celebrities and such like, not welcome. Makes them feel inadequate.
For a philosopher like Gilbert Ryle it was, I think, something he required, something he appreciated; it did not hurt him because he had nothing to gain from ignoring others' opinions.
Great man.
A very difficult book to read though.