Question

Hello and blessings, Michi. While riding on the bus I half-listened to a male student and a female student from Bezalel talking, and then the female student said about someone she knows who studies philosophy that in the end philosophy is a matter of interpretation, and if her argument looks aesthetically pleasing enough, the lecturer will accept it. Following that, I wondered whether philosophy really does progress. It seems that anyone can say whatever they want and it will count as philosophy, and philosophy itself does not really change—only the philosophers’ opinions change. So is there any point in engaging in it at all? If there is not really philosophical criticism, why does whatever you say count enough for you to be considered a philosopher? What does the Rabbi think?
 
And one more thing: I notice that there are very impulsive people who, if you speak to them rationally and attack what they are saying on its merits, get hurt. How should one deal with them in order to conduct a discussion without them thinking you are being offensive? I am turning to the Rabbi because from my familiarity with what you write, you certainly know this phenomenon. You speak very decisively and sharply—which of course I like about you very much—so what are your ways of dealing with people of the sort I described?
 
One last thing: do you think all the truth is with you?