Late Rise of Thinking Man

Regarding both reviews (Book Review, Dec. 29), Richard J. Morris’ of A. J. Ayer’s “Wittgenstein: The Man and His Philosophy,” and Arthur C. Danto’s of Bernard Williams’ “Ethics and the Limits of Philosophy,” it is absolutely essential, I think, that we remain constantly aware of the fact that it has been fewer than 3,000 years since a few of us, beginning with Thales, have stopped searching for knowledge in the entrails of freshly slaughtered chickens, and have been thinking.

NORMAN M. PLISCOU

Holtville, Calif.