Elementary proposition again. We must recognise two levels of discourse about politics. I think discourse about politics would be much better were we capable of recognising this. We should recognise it – philosophically. The reason we do not recognise it, or are not reminded of it often enough, certainly not by politicians, is because its denial is of political benefit. We do not recognise it – politically.
Is that clear? I think there are two levels of discourse. There is the level of the philosopher, who stands outside politics, and the level of the politician, who stands within it. But this truth is obscured by the fact that for those in one of those levels of discourse (i.e., where the politicians are) it is found useful to deny this and also to move between one level and the other without saying so. The science!
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