Without a doubt. The thing one brings to it is a willingness to commit to
the answer.
That is tough to do. I know.
Ms. Ferguson used the word "mere" in the above to make a comparison
to the acquiring of knowledge where no personal committment is required. I
share your questioning attitude about the word, but I suspect that it is
more due to the difference people in England use the word compared with us
in the west than anything else.
Burgy (from Durango; just far enough west)