Grice and Cavell on "Be perspicuous [sic]"

Speranza

Re: McGinn on Cavell on Grice on intelligibility.

I have absolutely had the same experience. 

Even after many readings I find books such as The World Viewed to be extremely slippery, where I have trouble identifying the principal commitments and conclusions. 

And I mean slippery as complimentary!

On the other hand, many of the greatest philosophers are difficult to pin down in precise terms although one can discern what they are up to generally speaking. 

Cavell’s essays will continue to be read as primary sources over and above their contribution to scholarship. 

This should be a testament to his power and influence. 

In my opinion he was one of the last great philosophers of the 20th century, along with Grice.

It seems to me that in his writings on film and literature Cavell often writes through descriptions of experiences rather than by making arguments. 

In his work on these subjects he writes from a classical perspective in which philosophy does not need to be sharply distinguished from other humanities in its ability to convey truth.

Agreed!