Political
Persons of the Dialogue
Director
Lawyer
Student
1
"But what is the political?" asked Student.
"Suppose we live in a totalitarian regime, a complete tyranny. Would you have a hard time knowing what the political is?" asked Lawyer.
"No, I think it would be pretty obvious."
"Describe what's obvious about it."
"There would be certain things we'd be forced to believe in, or to express belief in."
"You'd have to act, make decisions, based on those beliefs in order to be justified in whatever you might do, right?"
Student nodded. But then he said: "But not before those who know the tyranny for what it is."
"Your friends."
"Yes."
"Would it be easy to find such friends? Could you post a note looking for them on a public bulletin board? 'Man seeks non-believers in the politics of the regime. Call xxx.yyy.zzzz."
Student smiled. "No."
"So it is hard to find friends in totalitarian regimes."
"Yes, it is hard."
"But not impossible."
"No, not impossible. You just need some luck."
"Good luck?"
-------
Nick Pappas, pappasnick.typepad.com
Comments