We know how we must disappoint you, postgraduates. We know who we are, the last guardians of European philosophy in this benighted country. We’re dreadful provincials! Obscurities!
No one knows our names. No one cites us! No one quotes from our work. No one reads our articles. No one invites us to speak at their conferences. No one’s inviting us onto editorial boards. No one’s requesting our work for journal special editions. No one’s headhunting us.
No, we’re not the people to study under, postgraduates. Our references won’t help you find jobs. No one will be impressed that you studied with us, in our department. We’re in no one’s Philosophy Gourmet Report. We’re low in the rankings.
We can protect you for a while, that’s all, postgraduates. We can help you win the last students scholarships. But that’s all.
No, postgraduates, we’re not philosophers of renown. All we can do is point you in the right direction. Guide us to what we cannot do, but that you might.
There’s still the shadow of your ardency left in us. We still know something of postgraduate intensity.
We’re not fat and complacent, postgraduates – not yet!
Work in Progress 