Quote by Christopher Hitchens
The struggle for a free intelligence has always been a struggle between the ironic and the literal mind.
Summary
This quote suggests that the quest for intellectual freedom is a perpetual conflict between two modes of thinking: the ironic mind and the literal mind. The ironic mind approaches things with skepticism, wit, and a sense of irony, questioning accepted truths and seeking greater depth. On the other hand, the literal mind adheres strictly to the surface meaning of things, relying on linear thinking and taking things at face value. The struggle between these two mentalities serves as a battleground for achieving true intellectual liberation.