The philosopher’s philosophical method gives him a decisive two-sword advantage in the polemical contest.

Evidence

But you, Philosopher, who profess no law and yield only to reasoning, should not consider it anything great if you appear to be the strongest in this contest, since you have two swords for the fight, but the others battle against you with only one. You are able to use both written authority and reasoning against them, but they cannot base any objects to your position on a written law, since you follow no law; and also the fact that you, being more accustomed to reasoning, have a fuller philosophical armoury. (7) There is a war on, and this enemy (“the life of triumph is no better than the life of fighting, though it is sweeter”) may be winning. — Gil Anidjar, The Jew, the Arab, 229

Categorization

• DEFINE: Exemplifies how the dialogue weaponizes the asymmetry between reason and sacred text.