Another question (the meaning of "set off" in context) asks about the following two sentences:
Jaspers even records a dream in which, during a tense conversation with some of Heidegger's critics, his friend suddenly approached and addressed him for the first time with the familiar du. The two then set off together, alone.
This is the last part of the 13th paragraph in this New York Times excerpt.
The original question asks about the meaning of set off (which is depart), but as I read that sentence I wondered how could two people could depart together, alone.
And I figured I might not be the only one to stumble over this combination: I mean: don't alone and together mean opposite things: without anyone (alone) and with someone (together)?
So if the two men set off alone (each by himself), how can they do that together? Or if they set off together, how can they be alone? Or is there something else going on? Perhaps another meaning of either or both words is being used? Perhaps the author has chosen his words poorly? What's going on?
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