The proposal to sketch an outline of my philosophical profile originates with the editors of Ricerche Filosofiche who suggested that the essay could be written either by one of my friends or by myself. However, I realize how difficult it is to convey a realistic picture of a friend; such a picture is prone to assume the guise of kindly eulogy. I would rather then risk sketching my philosophical self-portrait in an attempt to maintain a fair degree of objectivity.