Lame excuses VS working hypotheses

Pondering how Ted Honderich is arguable the world's premiere philosopher of determinism, I wondered on how sophistry ("excuses") so frequently has a sour, caustic, bitter tone to it. Perhaps because the individual is a) dreading being exposed as a coward, and b) in denial concerning having actually and really made a choice.


We can produce explanations. We can, otherwise, produce rationalizations. But really, don't you think it's very sad (tragic?) that most folk are geared up to make good use of excuses? Sophistry ham-strings development; because we are fallible and our knowledge is limited we have a righteous need for explanations; excuses distract and mis-lead.


Cynicism concerning human nature and pessimism concerning our future ... pure poison.