Poirot & Squeers

Would just like to chime in at this point how much I have enjoyed your exchanges.

We are all greater than just the material sum of our parts.

While I remain atheist (which simply means I don't believe in a god as such), I do believe our concentration on profit over peace, acquisition over the arts, dogma over debate and 'winning' over living (the likes of Murdoch or Trump are not winners and limit others to mere survival) we will remain at a intellectual and spiritual dead end.

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Dear Squeers,

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Given the extraordinary feat nature (random variability of matter and energy, reality) has accomplished in transforming matter into mind, I do not exclude necessity as a possibility of random variability, inevitably producing similar results similar circumstances.

The question then arises that if necessity is a possibility of random variability, can it be considered as serving a purpose? That, I would suggest, is "une vue de l'esprit". It depends on the way you see it; I, personally, do not see it that way. Teleology may come and go, but, for the time being, I am not convinced.

I am, nevertheless, grateful for your detailed explanations which never cease to delight me. As I have already indicated here, my ignorance knows no bounds and I am extremely grateful you are willing to share your knowledge so unconditionally.

Allow me to make a brief comment on your analysis comparing a beautiful, valid girl and a physically disabled girl in the street:

"Our system tries to validate material inequality as on par with natural law, the way the cards fell, but a large percentage of us just won't have it, seeing through the rationalisations of injustice and shallow ostentation."

I too enjoy admiring young ladies in the street. It is a pleasant pastime sitting at the terrace of a Parisian café sipping a cup of coffee and watching the girls go by. I had a similar experience to yours except that the girl I found myself admiring was particularly obese. I am normally repulsed by such a sight but, in this case, I was more than attracted, I was fascinated. She was sitting on the terrace, just a few tables away. She looked like a Rembrandt masterpiece or a character from a Fellini film. Her physical handicap was transformed by her ample, long flowing dress and exquisite make-up of excellent taste into a work of art far superior to any of the ordinary beauties on whom I no longer felt the slightest desire to even throw a glance.

Beauty, so they say, is in the eye of the observer.

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Banjo P:

"Teleology may come and go, but, for the time being, I am not convinced".

Fair enough. I'm not convinced either.

You conjure up beautiful images. Would love to be a voyeur in Paris, and talk leftist politics with you and a few other OLOers over coffee while checking out the local talent! Perhaps Poirot could furnish a few letters of introduction.
My eye too tends to be eclectic in its tastes.

Another article soon I hope : )

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Dear Squeers,

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I would gladly offer you a cup of coffee if you manage to come to Paris some time. Try to avoid the winter, though. Only smokers sit out on the terraces in the freezing cold to drink their coffee. It is illegal to smoke indoors and they prefer to freeze rather stop smoking while they drink their coffee.

My (French) wife follows leftist politics in much more detail and with far greater enthusiasm than I do. As a foreigner in France I take no active role in politics. Even if I could, my natural inclination would be to adopt the role of arbiter rather than that of active advocate of any particular ideology or political party.

The panoply is quite large ranging from extreme left to extreme right and there are about 230 active parties officially registered at any one time. It is a living tissue, constantly renewing itself. The political party graveyard has nothing to envy a First World War military cemetery lined with white crosses as far as the eye can see.

You can imagine what that means in terms of disillusionment of ideological aspirations and collective faith numerous causes right throughout the political spectrum.

My sole contribution has been to write to Paul Lucas, Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Local Government and Special Minister of State, to propose that Queensland pass a reciprocal agreement with France to grant voting rights to our respective foreign residents in local municipal elections. My proposition has been acknowledged and I was informed that "a formal response will be sent out to you in due course".

As regards possible further articles on OLO, naturally, I intend to follow the DSK saga to the bitter end, or should I say "happy end" - according to one's perspective and particular conception of justice?

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