Sir, – An interesting article by Joe Humphreys on the lack of a role for philosophers in public policy in Ireland and the historical reluctance of governments to commission philosophers in this way ("Is philosophy having an existential crisis?", May 24th).
Might this reflexive blindspot in public policy be related to a pragmatic system of government that gives supremacy to volatile markets and their pursuit of power and money at the expense of other considerations?
The article suggests that Ireland is not going to be ready any time soon for a national discourse about the “good life” or what this might mean for a fair and just democratic society. – Yours, etc,
Dr GERALDINE
MOONEY SIMMIE,
Lecturer in Education,
Faculty of Education
and Health Sciences,
University of Limerick.