At the same time, the essence of eclecticism is the refusal to follow blindly one set of formulae and conventions, coupled with a determination to recognize and select from all sources those elements which are good or true in the abstract, or in practical affairs most useful ad hoc. Theoretically, therefore, eclecticism is a perfectly sound method, and the contemptuous significance which the word has acquired is due partly to the fact that many eclectics have been intellectual trimmers, sceptics or dilettanti, and partly to mere partisanship. On the other hand, eclecticism in the sphere of abstract thought is open to this main objection that, in so far as every philosophic system is, at least in theory, an integral whole, the combination of principles from hostile theories must result in an incoherent patchwork. [Please select]
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Sir Winston answered, in high good humour, "because we are all trimmers to the wind, but some trim too late, and some too soon." [Please select]
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They got half a dozen, baited and set the trimmers white side up, and were turning to row back, when Doll's eyes became suddenly fixed. [Please select]
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They got a perch-rod off a long shelf, and half a dozen trimmers. [Please select]
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A primer of information about paper and card trimmers, hand-lever cutters, power cutters, and other automatic machines for cutting paper. [Please select]
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He was a greater terror to the trimmers and time-servers of his own party than to his political foes. [Please select]
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