For the discussion of all things philosophical.
https://canzookia.com/
Most of the ethical questions raised are simple matters of right or wrong, with which anyone can identify. However, in Forgotten Affairs, there are conversations between the two women philosophers, so we do gain something of an insight into Isabel’s position regarding other aspects of philosophy, such as the existence of God. She meets Jane for lunch at Glass & Thompson’s in Dundas Street, and in discussing religion says, “I feel there is something there – some force or truth perhaps – to put it at its most general… Maybe that is God. But I find it difficult to accept any statement as to his identity.” She goes on to say that even so, we need religious belief “because otherwise we live in a world in which there is no real answer to evil.” To this Jane replies, “So a belief in God is just a tune we whistle to keep our spirits up in the face of something nasty?” At that point however, the waiter arrives to take their order for lunch and the subject is put aside.
This neat segue is typical of the way Alexander McCall Smith weaves such diverse strands as ontology, self-doubt, cheese and sausages together in order to create these pleasing and satisfying novels.
© Patricia Cleveland-Peck 2011
Patricia Cleveland-Peck is an author, playwright and freelance journalist.