"In The Name of the Rose, Umberto Eco tells of 'times when, to forget an evil world, grammarians took pleasure in abstruse questions'. We — the democratic theorists — also struggle to resist the allure of feuding over esoteric normative concepts and crafting bold reform proposals, even if only workable on Mars.
While much evil remains in the world, let us still occasionally take time to breathe slowly and deeply, appreciating the good things in life. Perhaps we can just ponder democracy’s words for a moment."
These are Peter Specian's lines from his essay here: https://theloop.ecpr.eu/science-of-democracy-and-the-owl-of-minerva/
It raises a point that I hadn't prior considered which concerns the consolations of democratic theory. This work of theorising, of working philosophically, on questions of democracy can offer its participants respite, refreshment, and could I think act as a leisure activity.
These may be strange words, especially to activists who are fighting for more and better democracy (I hope to be able to count myself in your number), but I do think these words should be spoken and entertained. Doing democratic theory has an underappreciated aspect of self and community care to it which can be stress relieving and can also be an activity for all.
What are your thoughts on this angle?
https://theloop.ecpr.eu/science-of-democracy-and-the-owl-of-minerva/
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