From Mr J. C. Gould, MRPharmS
SIR,-With regards to Mr Sharpe's letter "Pseuds Corner" (PJ, June 17, p914), I would remind him that the particular topic under discussion was moral philosophy and that this is (ostensibly) a professional journal.
No, it is not a topic I am in the habit of discussing with customers.
And whether Mr Sharpe likes it or not, or perhaps more to the point, whether he knows it or not, this is a discipline which demands absolute precision in the use of language.
If we cannot understand this or the values of the arguments put forward or the style of language necessary, if it is all rendered "pretentious" in consequence of his own ignorance, then I would suggest that the Oxford English Dictionary is always at hand. Also, along with any current professional development he may be undertaking, I would suggest he include Basic English 101 and, if he is interested in broadening his intellectual horizons, A Beginner's Guide to Ethics.
Finally, for a gentleman of his seniority (40 years on the Register) and a fellow of the Society, I would advise that slagging off a colleague in teenage argot is somewhat unseemly, if not downright embarrassing.
John Gould
Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire