Friday 15 April 2011

After Kierkegaard, After Borges

1. Theme of intellectual as arbiter
Still another scenario: suppose, for example someone is in possession of an explanation of the popular idea of happiness, but one that explains it in a deplorable light, and yet a whole generation rests secure in this idea and has no suspicion of anything of the sort.

2. Theme of intellectual as auxiliary
After a series of tenacious hesitations, Ryan resolved to publish his findings. He would expose the city as a piece of theatre that was being written and directed from elsewhere. But to his surprise, upon publication, his findings meet with no resistance. His book is immediately absorbed into the narrative of the city's 'populous drama'. He is widely acknowledged to have introduced a moment of dramatic tension into the proceedings. His role, he concludes, has also been anticipated.