Roy Bhaskar

For the last few days I have been in Nottingham University to listen to Roy Bhaskar, the founder of Critical (or Transcendental) Realism and one of the world's most leading philosophers. Fortunately, the organiser of the workshop is a good friend of mine and I was able to have dinner and several chats with Roy.

Ranging from the completely anecdotal to the philosophical, here are a few insights into the workshop, Roy and Critical Realism:

1. Roy is one of the nicest, happiest and most generous people I have ever encountered. Despite having recently had his foot sawn off, being confined to a wheelchair and being buffeted by aggressive questions from professors who are either jealous or in comprehensive of his work, and various other burdens which I won't go into, the man appears to genuinely value every idea or person he meets.

2. Critical realism is not very critical, at least not in the critical theory sense, in that it doesn't really have a strong normative persuasion. This does not put it at a disadvantage to most ontologies as, unless one prioritises value above existence (e.g. Pilsig's work) the IS doesn't become the OUGHT. Bhaskar might disagree on this point but he didn't seem to put up a robost defence.

3. Critical Realism is a new project and, as such, contains a number of flaws, but the basic realist structure it proposes (shared by some other forms of realism) provides the best explanatory power and the most accurate ontology I have encountered.

4. Given the obvious weakness in their positions, most post-structuralists are retreating from their discourse is everything / nothing outside the text position. However, in my opinion, unless they accept a realist ontology (which is entirely compatible with ideas of discourse) it is impossible to adequately explain choice, resistance and change.

5. Bhaskar is a VERY nice man. Did I say that already?