Preface

Philosophy is the practice of thinking carefully, critically, and rationally about matters of deep concern, and it is driven by the hope that we might understand our universe and our place within it. However, these two aspects of the philosophical life—being doggedly critical and rational, while nevertheless hoping to arrive at a synoptic vision of everything—can stand in tension. If we simply wanted one and not the other, our task would be much simpler. After all, there is no shortage of master narratives and grand tales on offer—both historical and contemporary—which might satisfy the desire for a good, synoptic story. And, for that reason, one doesn’t have to dig too far to unearth criticisms of any particular narrative: usually, the defenders of one master narrative are more than happy to supply an inquiring mind with ready-made criticisms of competing narratives.

But for those of us who have fallen in love with the pursuit of wisdom, the easy routes are unappealing. We don’t simply want an answer; we don’t simply want to win an argument, or become apologists for a winning team, or feel content. Our passion is much more infinite. Perhaps, in that sense, it is foolhardy. 

That’s how I think about philosophy when I’m alone, puzzling through my life-decisions, my career, and my intellectual preoccupations. But when I’m philosophizing with others—when I’m really in the throes of it—there’s an additional element. The whole effort ceases to have the character of a goal-oriented task and it becomes something like an act of recreation. A re-creation of myself and a re-creation of the bonds that unite me with those with whom I am engaged. In moments like that, when I am philosophizing with others and we are in the proverbial zone, I feel most attuned to philosophy. It remains everything I said above—an attempt to rationally and critically discern what is true, good, beautiful, and just; and the desire to see all of these things as they hang together, completely synthesized—but in those moments it is also just a way of dwelling with others, wide open, as the sorts of peculiar animals we are: finite, dependent, fragile, rational, and inquisitive. And that is wonderful. 

In writing and illustrating the dialogues contained on this site, my aim has been not merely to meditate on the matters of concern with which the characters are engaged but also to reflect on the philosophical life itself. As I hope becomes evident, I am not very interested in using my main characters as mouthpieces for settled views; rather, I try to present them as genuinely curious people who strive to understand and accompany one another in the pursuit of wisdom. They rarely attain solid ground, but they continue striking forth. I hope their conversations might provoke you to corral a friend or two and do the same. 

Christoffer S. Lammer-Heindel
June 2024