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The fact that Alan Watts died of alcoholism doesn't seem to dim his aura among many people. Now, his writing are presumably about living well. And he certainly harmed himself. I'm genuinely confused by his popularity. It's like worshipping a nutrition guru who dies of starvation

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雲水

@foodofthegods3

Jan 15

He never said he’s writing to help anyone improve themselves. He often explicitly stated that. Philosophy was for him an art; and as all the great artists tend to have trainwrecks of personal lives, he was no exception. It does not diminish the value of his craft.

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Had he pulled some guru/saint-role, implying he is preaching how others should live, certainly it would’ve made him a hypocrite. But he was always open about his flaws and “irreducible rascality,” and for that reason he was purer in heart than most spiritual teachers.

6:31 AM · Jan 15, 2022Twitter for iPhone

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