The word perspicuous means clearly presented or easily understood. Perspicuity - which has a nicer ring and rhythm to it - is the quality of being perspicuous. Both share an etymological root with perspective: from the Latin perspicere, to inspect or to look through : per- (intensive) + specere, to look. (From The American Heritage Dictionary, 2nd Ed., 1985)
The Perspicuity Review's primary mission is to eschew obfuscation.
Just kidding. This magazine's primary mission is clarity. It will be a growing collection of words and pictures dedicated to clearly discussed ideas. Equally important is a focus on the process of creating and generating ideas -- a process I call good thinking.
Good thinking is more than just critical thought. It's an attitude which values the exploration for true ideas over the defense of preconceived opinions. It requires the self-confidence and self-assuredness to believe and trust in your thoughts, along with the ability to listen to and consider ideas which differ from your own. It requires the courage to modify your views when you see that they are wrong. It is the only process by which a person can understand why they believe what they do. Good thinking requires quiet time, requires an awareness of the environment, and to some extent, a shutting down of the senses. And good thinking is much more. It is one of the grandest adventures in living -- for Spinoza there was no grander.
As to the character of the magazine:
- The Perspicuity Review will talk about ideas: encouraging the discovery and exploration of ideas, idea sharing and prodding. It will look at what makes good ideas, and examine what gets in the way of good, sound thinking;
- This will be a magazine about understanding stuff. More than just receiving information, we need to make sense of it and learn to use it in intelligent ways;
- This magazine will have a generally optimistic outlook, though it will be firmly planted in the real world;
- It will encourage sound reasoning and critical thinking, often with satire, but not with sarcasm. Suggestions for seeing the world in a clear, unbiased way will be presented with examples;
- Though we are not afraid of technology, we will neither enshrine it nor reject it, neither glorify it nor lambast it. We will use it when appropriate;
- Its layout will be clear; neither cluttered nor flashy, in an effort to reflect its contents;
- It will show that idea making and good thinking are things anyone can do, and should do, debunking the notion that they are owned and monopolized by academics (though academics are still encouraged to use them).
- It will respect the reader.
My most optimistic and ambitious wish is that readers will get stimulation, growth and enjoyment from the pages of The Perspicuity Review.
Thank you.
- Craig Swanson