Philosophy had been reborn. But even then, we kept quiet. Kept low. Cicero was clear: there was to be no triumphalism about the rebirth of philosophy. We were very humble. Made no great claims.
The other departments were very curious. They sent their spies to see what they were doing. Infiltrated our Open Days. Strolled around our accommodation! Our old philosophy offices! Peered into our project room! Appreciated the design features, the attention to detail in our suite of offices!
Real design! Attention to detail! Not the usual generic crap! All the touches, which Cicero oversaw herself.
And the Philosophy website: cool. Simple. Elegant. And the Philosophy brochures. Uncluttered. With none of the usual identikit photos.
They were looking at us with envy, all the other departments. Cicero knew that. Cicero was aware. She took it into account. So she played it extra-humble. It was nothing really … a teaching initiative … An experiment … an indulgence in her later years … A chance to fool around before she retired …
She assembled a college of friendly senior staff to help us. To watch over us. To lend us legitimacy. Members of the Senate. Lofty names. Professors, all. Experts in every field. Our protectors. A surrounding band of angels. Who came to our socials. Who came to our Christmas dos, sipping wine.
Old allies of Cicero’s. Cicero-respectors. Who were impressed at what Cicero had done. Supporters of philosophy. Old Europeans, almost all. Foreigners, for the most part. Appreciators of European-style philosophy. Of Continental philosophy, with which they were all familiar.
And Cicero started a European department. What daring! Who would do such a thing!
Work in Progress 