True happiness, we are told, consists in getting out of one's self;

 but the point is not only to get out - you must stay out; 

and to stay out you must have some absorbing errand.

 

the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute.

 

Philosophy when superficially studied, excites doubt, 

when thoroughly explored, it dispels it

 

If we wish to draw philosophical conclusions about our own existence, our significance, and the significance of the universe itself, our conclusions should be based on empirical knowledge.

 A truly open mind means forcing our imaginations to conform to the evidence of reality, and not vice versa,

 whether or not we like the implications.