Socrates and the Ducks

Categories: uncategorized

Date: 14 June 2011 08:52:57

So it seems Philosophy teachers are like Christians - they don't need the drugs, because they are already living in such a wierd and wacky world. This is perhaps why unusual / wacky requests, (encouragement), can actually be placed into an existing frame of reference. This line of thinking can come in useful though when "normal" people think that "our world" is a practical joke being played on them.

Let me explain. Third Party walks in last night and produces "Socrates" from her bag informing me she has to take good care of him and make sure she takes his photo in specified places at Glastonbury, including the stone circle. Apparently his travels have already included a trip to Mexico. Socrates is a cuddly toy wrapped in white material and apparently belongs to Third Party's  Philosophy tutor.

Now most people might have viewed this as just a little strange. Me, I only thought it was slightly wierd because the request was coming from a teacher. We sat there having a perfectly rational discussion that Socrates was simply like the ducks that another friend of ours, (and Wiblogger), sends out on adventures.

In terms of the way "normal" people struggle with "our world" apparently when the college health and safety people recieved the letter confirming Third Party would be doing her work experience at Glastonbury they thought it was a practical joke. This did get sorted appropriately when said Philosophy tutor went down and explained, "it was one of her students" and I wrote a letter saying that the parent and the work experience provider (grandfather) would not be holding the college liable for anything that happened with her during work experience.

All of this has made me smile, and I hope it makes those of you living in "our world" grin a little too. Sometimes the most innocent pleasures are amongst those viewed as "strange" by mainstream society.