You may or may not dare to eat a peach, but this is why it’s important to peel an orange:
Many people believe that they can remain unaffected by the beliefs and attitudes of the age. But no one can. As we live in the age, so the age lives in us.
And one of the most insidious beliefs of the age, I think, is that fulfillment is effortless, even inevitable. But the opposite is true. Everything worthwhile has to be earned.
Recently I came across a tragically significant fact. Sales of oranges are plummeting, because no one can be bothered to peel them anymore. I can’t give you any prescriptions but … I can give you a spiritual exercise, something to purify your souls.
Buy an orange. Take it home. And peel it. Slowly. Deliberately. Voluptuously. Above all defiantly – in defiance of this age that demands everything to be easy.
An excerpt from Michael Foley, author of The Age of Absurdity, speaking at the Bristol Festival of Ideas, on the Philosophy Now podcast from Philosophy Press.
Do subscribe to the monthly podcast, presented by Julian Baggini, and celebrate the readiness of philosophers to engage once again with questions of how to live and renewed confidence in the power of philosophical insight to work a practical effect on our lives. And enjoy peeling that orange.
Westrow Cooper 
6 replies on “The importance of peeling an orange”
Peeling oranges is messy. I always end up dripping juices. Satsumas are much better. Love satsumas. It’s the same, yes?
Hi Monique
er… not sure you’re entirely embracing the idea of difficulty here, but hey – we love satsumas too!
Well, I’m slightly allergic to fresh oranges, so I can’t peel and eat one very often. But I do recognize the dare-to-eat-a-peach line. And other lines descriptive of my own life: I have heard the sirens singing, each to each. I do not think that they will sing for me.
and I shall wear white flannel trousers and walk upon the beach. Braonthree, many thanks for taking the time to add a comment.
I too hadn’t peeled an orange in years, until having kids and now I peel several every week. I love doing it (I have a special method) but only at home. Definitely worth making the effort – as with so many things in life – raising children being one of them!
Rachel, great to hear from you, and I vow to become a better facebooker! You are so right, about oranges – and children. I shall have to visit and discover your special method.