A Conspiracy of Joy
Socratic Dialogue
Merry making during the Festive Season…
Plutonix
In the heart of the festive season, Socrates, the venerable philosopher, engages in a spirited dialogue with his joyous companion, Cephalus, a wealthy and retired old businessman. As the world around them sparkles with twinkling lights and resonates with cheerful music, Socrates poses probing questions about the nature of merrymaking. Socrates challenges the notion of excess and advocates in favour of finding joy in simplicity, leading the conversation into a philosophical exploration of the unique enchantment that the festive season brings. As the dialogue unfolds, the focus shifts to the upcoming year and the anticipation of general elections. The discussion transcends the mundane aspects of politics, delving into the responsibility of citizens in shaping their political destiny and the need for critical thinking amidst the chaos of campaigns. Socrates, in his characteristic style, encourages a vision of a society where substance triumphs over style in the realm of politics.
Socrates: Greetings, my festive friend! Pray, tell me, why do people engage in such merrymaking during the festive season?
Cephalus: Ah, Socrates, my joyous philosopher! It is a time of celebration, a reprieve from the toils of everyday life. We gather, we feast, we dance — because, why not?
Socrates: Why not, indeed! But do we not celebrate the passing of time every day, as the sun rises and sets?
Cephalus: True, but during the festive season, it’s like a concentrated dose of happiness, a yearly elixir that rejuvenates our spirits.
Socrates: Is it not curious that we need a designated season to be merry? Should not our joy be a constant companion throughout the year?
Cephalus: Ah, Socrates, you always bring your philosophical musings to the party. But there’s something special about this season—the twinkling lights, the cheerful music, the excuses to indulge in excess.
Socrates: Indulgence, my dear Cephalus, can be a slippery slope. Is it not wiser to find joy in moderation rather than drowning in a sea of festive excess?
Cephalus: But Socrates, moderation is for the ordinary days. The festive season calls for extravagance and the occasional overindulgence!
Socrates: Is it not the pursuit of wisdom to find joy in simplicity, to revel in the company of loved ones without the need for excess?
Cephalus: Ah, my wise philosopher, you make a compelling argument. But tell me, would you not agree that the festive season adds a sprinkle of magic to our lives?
Socrates: Magic, you say? Is it not within our power to create magic in every moment, to find enchantment in the ordinary?
Cephalus: Perhaps, Socrates, but there’s an undeniable charm in the air during the festive season. It’s like the world conspires to make us laugh a little louder and love a little deeper.
Socrates: A conspiracy of joy, you say? I suppose, my dear Cephalus, there is wisdom in embracing the unique enchantment that the festive season brings. Let us then, with mirth and merriment, engage in this delightful conspiracy of joy.
In the spirit of Socratic revelry, Socrates and Cephalus continued their dialogue, navigating the intricacies of merry making with wit and wisdom, celebrating the festive season in their own philosophical fashion…
“The promises of politicians can be as fleeting as the winter snow”
However, with the melodious tunes of campaign jingles heard from afar and the air already thick with promises, accusations and counter accusations, their dialogue shifts to what awaits us in the coming year…
Cephalus: Ah, Socrates, as we bask in the glow of festive cheer, I can’t help but wonder what awaits us in the coming year. Do you not sense a hint of trepidation in the air?
Socrates: Trepidation, my festive companion? Pray, tell me, why do you feel a shadow cast upon the dawn of the new year?
Cephalus: Well, Socrates, next year brings with it the grand spectacle of general elections. A time when the air will be thick with promises, accusations, and the melodious tunes of campaign jingles.
Socrates: Ah, the melodious tunes of democracy in action! But should we not approach these elections with a discerning mind, my dear Cephalus? The promises of politicians can be as fleeting as the winter snow.
Cephalus: Indeed, Socrates! It’s like they promise a banquet fit for the gods, but we often end up with a feast more modest than a Spartan’s daily rations.
Socrates: A feast for the mind, or a famine of promises! But do you not think, my joyous friend, that we, the citizens, bear some responsibility in the shaping of our political destiny?
Cephalus: True, Socrates, true. We hold the power to choose our leaders, but sometimes the choices feel akin to selecting the least thorny rose in a prickly garden.
Socrates: A garden of thorns, you say? Perhaps we should cultivate the soil of critical thinking and demand more from those who seek to govern.
Cephalus: Wise words, Socrates, but will the masses heed such counsel? It’s easier to be swayed by catchy slogans and charismatic speeches.
Socrates: Catchy slogans, the bards of politics! But should we not strive for a society where substance triumphs over style, where the ballot is cast with thoughtful consideration?
Cephalus: Oh, Socrates, you paint a utopian vision. In the real world, elections are more like a chaotic symphony, with each candidate playing a different tune.
Socrates: A symphony of chaos, indeed! But let us not lose hope, my festive friend. In the coming year, as we navigate the political landscape, let us approach it with the same mirth and wisdom we bring to our festive celebrations.
Cephalus: You’re right, Socrates. Perhaps, amidst the campaign madness, we can find moments of laughter, unity, and shared understanding. After all, even in the realm of politics, a touch of humour can be the antidote to disillusionment.
And so, with a blend of caution and humour, Socrates and Cephalus continued their philosophical banter, ready to face the challenges and elections of the upcoming year with a twinkle in their eyes and a jest on their lips.
Plutonix
Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 29 December 2023
An Appeal
Dear Reader
65 years ago Mauritius Times was founded with a resolve to fight for justice and fairness and the advancement of the public good. It has never deviated from this principle no matter how daunting the challenges and how costly the price it has had to pay at different times of our history.
With print journalism struggling to keep afloat due to falling advertising revenues and the wide availability of free sources of information, it is crucially important for the Mauritius Times to survive and prosper. We can only continue doing it with the support of our readers.
The best way you can support our efforts is to take a subscription or by making a recurring donation through a Standing Order to our non-profit Foundation.
Thank you.
