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Bald facts and flowing manes

The insights of philosophy

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The Irish Times - Letters to the Editor.

Sir, – I commend Joe Humphreys for his attempt to console Frank Lampard in facing hair loss through the insights of philosophy (Unthinkable, June 24th).

While he outlines three approaches that could offer solace to those facing a a future more glabrous than glamorous, he omits the joy that may ensue from the use of one’s baldness as unshakable evidence in philosophical debate.

Among the oldest viewpoints ever advanced as a philosophical insight, long before the Stoics first braced themselves, was that of Heraclitus. Around 500 BC he famously opined “panta rhei” or “everything flows”. I can now directly disprove this contention citing the fact that my hair no longer does. – Yours, etc,

BRIAN O’BRIEN,

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Kinsale,

Co Cork.