I feel like you and several others on this site are moving toward a form of discourse where there's so much multiplicity, symbolism, and allusion, that it might as well just take on its true form as philosophical theater.
Very interesting observation! I like the Apollonian/Dionysian synthesis implied by philosophical theatre, but I suspect it is very difficult to pull off (Murdoch never succeeded in writing a popular play). Perhaps the rituals of secret societies offer a model, since their significance emerges from their initiates' deep immersion in symbology and allusion. But what does it mean for a society of open secrets?
I mean no one can write popular philosophical theater; it's in the nature of the form. For the reasons you say, the secret society as such isn't a model--but even though we can't have real esoteric teachings, we don't have to give up on presence, which is implicit even in closet theater and perhaps has never been more mystical than now.
But really what I meant was much more banal: there's nothing like theater for reconciling a multiplicity of perspectives and ideas at the level of form.
I feel like you and several others on this site are moving toward a form of discourse where there's so much multiplicity, symbolism, and allusion, that it might as well just take on its true form as philosophical theater.
Very interesting observation! I like the Apollonian/Dionysian synthesis implied by philosophical theatre, but I suspect it is very difficult to pull off (Murdoch never succeeded in writing a popular play). Perhaps the rituals of secret societies offer a model, since their significance emerges from their initiates' deep immersion in symbology and allusion. But what does it mean for a society of open secrets?
I mean no one can write popular philosophical theater; it's in the nature of the form. For the reasons you say, the secret society as such isn't a model--but even though we can't have real esoteric teachings, we don't have to give up on presence, which is implicit even in closet theater and perhaps has never been more mystical than now.
But really what I meant was much more banal: there's nothing like theater for reconciling a multiplicity of perspectives and ideas at the level of form.
Great points! Lack of presence is certainly a big theme of our times. And I fully agree with you that dialogue is the true lost art.
Writing like this is exactly what internet publications should look like. Focused but multiple-bodied. Thank you.
Thank you so much!
Great as always, MJE