Synthesized answer
The narrator feels guilty about knowing Gassendi's name because he had no business knowing it at that time [1]. He had previously stated he had taken an interest in Gassendi for a long time, which resulted in a certificate with a *magna cum laude* [1]. However, he later developed a persistent tendency to forget the name Gassendi, which he believes is due to his guilty conscience [1].
The passages do not explicitly state *why* the narrator feels he had no business knowing Gassendi's name or the specific circumstances that led to this feeling of guilt, beyond the fact that it was related to an examination episode and his desire for a doctor's degree [1].
Synthesized from the book passages below. Chat with the book on Feynman for follow-up.
From the book
t was Pierre Gassendi, whom two days before while in a café I had happened to hear spoken of as a follower of Epicurus. To the question how I knew this I boldly replied that I had taken an interest in Gassendi for a long time. This resulted in a certificate with a _magna cum laude_, but later, unfortunately, also in a persistent tendency to forget the name Gassendi. I believe that it is due to my guilty conscience that even now I cannot retain this name despite all efforts. I had no business knowing it at that time.” To have a proper appreciation of the intense repugnance…
ly took place....” “Well, what else comes to your mind? Why do you hesitate?” “Something really occurred to me ... but it is too intimate a matter to impart ... besides, I see no connection and no necessity for telling it.” “I will take care of the connection. Of course I cannot compel you to reveal what is disagreeable to you, but then you should not have demanded that I tell you why you forgot the word ‘_aliquis_.’” “Really? Do you think so? Well, I suddenly thought of a woman from whom I could easily get a message that would be very annoying to us both.” “That she…
d the acquaintance of a young man of academic education, who, as I soon noticed, was conversant with some of my works. In our conversation we drifted--I no longer remember how--to the social position of the race to which we both belonged. He, being ambitious, bemoaned the fact that his generation, as he expressed it, was destined to grow crippled, that it was prevented from developing its talents and from gratifying its desires. He concluded his passionately felt speech with the familiar verse from Virgil: _Exoriare_ ... in which the unhappy _Dido_ leaves her vengeance upon _Æneas_…
to the _v_. He added: “I believe that I have already forgotten many of the Sicilian names. Suppose we try to find out. For example, what is the name of the place situated on a height which was called _Enna_ in antiquity?” “Oh, I know that: _Castrogiovanni_.” In the next moment the younger man discovered the lost name. He cried out ‘_Castelvetrano_,’ and was pleased to be able to demonstrate the supposed _v_. For a moment the elder still lacked the feeling of recognition, but after he accepted the name he was able to state why it had escaped him. He thought: “Obviously because the…
us style I like, whose insight into psychology and whose knowledge of the cultural world I have learned to appreciate. I believe that was just why I mislaid the catalogue. It was my habit to lend the books of this author among my friends for their enlightenment, and a few days before, on returning one, somebody had said: “His style reminds me altogether of yours, and his way of thinking is identical.” The speaker did not know what he was stirring up with this remark. Years ago, when I was younger and in greater need of forming alliances, I was told practically the same thing by…