Barman from Washington Wises Up

Dear N,

As you know, I have recently been attending evening classes at the Institute of Psycho-Social Psychology. I must give the course my strongest approbation. Through my studies of pre and post-Socratic thought, I feel alive for the first time and to this end, feel I must leave to find myself a little more (I'm particularly looking for a beauty spot or two, preferably around my nasal area).

What really inspires me is that Socrates himself took so much courage in the face of certain death. This courage gave his life some authentic meaning which is something that my own existence lacks totally, although it does possess some minimal significance to the Inland Revenue.

But I still have lots of questions and want to learn, oh so much more. I often imagine myself in dialogue with Socrates. He said he did not fear confinement because his mind would always be free but what if he wanted to go for a walk - how did he cope? Is evil as he suggested, merely good in excess? I suppose it is true. I mean, if you listen to one song by Cliff Richard it may be beautiful. But if he keeps singing, it gives you a headache and so becomes evil.

Didn't Socrates prove that the soul is immortal? Maybe he proved lots of things on paper but that's the problem with philosophy - its not that functional once you leave the classroom. And he talked of "eternal forms", that everything always did exist and always will exist but to my mind, surely he was only talking about statues and other heavy objects. Its different for people isn't it? I mean, death isn't the really the same as sleep. For one, its more difficult to find your slippers when its time to get up.

Anyway, I'm getting carried away (but not enough). Time for me to go (if indeed there is such a thing as time).

Adieu