Threshold

Doing something together. Being together together. That’s enough, isn’t it? Sharing whatever it is we share. Sharing sharing.

 

The fact that we can say a few things. The fact that we can say anything at all. Isn’t language something, philosopher? The capacity to speak. Although I expect you wish I’d shut up.

 

We should say the most important thing we’ve ever said. That I’ve ever said. Or you’ve ever said. Only I don’t know what it would be. Do you know what it would be?

Only I don’t know if I’d even notice I’d said it.

 

I think we could happen upon it by chance: the secret. The secret of everything. The secret between us. The secret at the heart of our lives.

 

God, what am I talking about? Why am I saying these things?

 

Philosophy: the word sounds like a dream. Wistful and gentle and tender. Like one of those flowers that opens in boiling water. Like a lotus, blossoming.

 

You’re actually just on the threshold of philosophy. Once you get into philosophy, it’s a whole lot more technical.

Technical? I don’t like the sound of that.

Philosophy’s badass logic and that sort of thing. Rigour. And analysis. And the construction of sound arguments. And the testing of your arguments. And engaging with ideas. And critiquing them. And all that busy stuff.

How disappointing. How academic …

 

Stuck: that’s what I am. In this life. Living this way. Only sometimes I don’t mind being stuck. But tonight, I mind.

 

I feel such dread, sometimes. I feel heavy with it: dread. Dread: is that the word? It’s a heavy word. Dread is a weight. A dreadful weight.

 

Are you, like, in touch with vagueness, too? Is it part of you, too?

 

The threshold of philosophy – opening in wonder or in horror or in vagueness. In the everyday. Even on this campus. Even here.

 

How do you summon it up, all this philosophy? How do you begin philosophy? Or do you just slip into it?

 

Something important’s happened. Something broke through. Something was allowed through.

 

We could be living a beautiful life. Not just you and I – everyone. We’re just on the verge of it. On the brink. We just have to turn a particular corner, and … there it’ll be.

 

The most beautiful day could begin today. Right now. That’s how it feels.