'Pataphysics

Metaphysics, the study of those concepts by which we define reality, is a familiar subject to anyone who took an entry level philosophy course in college but many will be less familiar with ‘Pataphysics (and yes the apostrophe is intentional). Coined by the French writer and playwright, Alfred Jarry, ‘Pataphysics parodies scientific theories and methods with a “science of imaginary solutions” that questions our reality. Although Jarry’s intent was to deflate the pompous, self-important institutions and thinkers of his day, circa the late 19th century, his work is eminently relevant in the present.

By far Jarry's most 'Pataphysical work is the play Ubu Roi, a chaotic and often obscene commentary that was considered both baffling and vulgar by 19th century audiences but has since become a cultural landmark that some describe as the very definition of theater of the absurd. While the plot lines mirror some of Shakespeare's most famous histories and tragedies they skid from one to another seemingly at random skewering the perversity of politics, science and religion and especially those in positions of power whose sole objective is self-advancement. To my thinking, Ubu Roi has never been more insightful than it is today as we face an increasingly ‘pataphysical world where reality is often dismissed through the expedients of blind faith, big lies, and politics as theater.

Magical thinking, untethered from any objective reality is not only pervasive in our political dialog, it has become the norm. Attempts to counter conspiracy theories, manufactured facts, and outright fabrications with anything approximating critical thought are suspect if not immediately dismissed. Inconvenient truths are the one thing we cannot allow to disrupt the delicate fabric of unreality that has supplanted rationality in our mirror of the kingdom governed by Mere and Pere Ubu. Increasingly the question political scientists, sociologists and psychologists grapple with about our state of mind as a nation is how we got to this point. Not how we got to political polarity, or oppositional governance, but how we got to this ‘pataphysical world?

Thinking about that question, I believe there are three states of mind that sum up the unreality that is prevalent today. First among those are the cultists. I am speaking here not only of the devotees of conspiracy, the Q’Anon tribe, but those who believe a worldwide pandemic is a conspiracy to alter the world order, and their less politically inspired though equally deluded brethren that embrace a flat earth, a faked moon landing, birds as government spies, vaccines as mind control experiments and all those others who have apparently exited this reality for one they prefer on the other side of the looking glass. I do not dismiss them as crazy—far from it, in a world that is often too hard, too hurtful, too difficult to understand it is comforting to resign reality and belong to a group that has unlocked the dark secrets and revealed the ‘truth’. Jarry would approve this invention of a reality that confers on its adherents a mystical charm of protection, and Nostradamus like predictions of future salvation.

A second group of believers, far less divorced from what most of us consider reality are those who have adopted an ‘ends justifies the means’ philosophy. Convinced that the world is heading to hell in a handbasket and must be upended, and inspired by cultural, familial, and religious ideologies these individuals have 'reasoned' their way to a form of fantastic extremism. Righteous in their indignation at what the opposition says, does or believes, members of this cohort advance unthinkable transgressions of personal and public liberty, democracy, and humanity, in the name of freedom, patriotism, or faith. Confronted with counter argument, data, or any fact that might suggest re-examination these believers deny its truth, offer up explanations proffered by hitherto unknown but entirely ‘reputable’ sources, or defend their behavior as reciprocal justice. Any suggestion of cognitive dissonance is overwhelmed by the ardent belief that the justice of their cause offers absolution.

Finally, we must include the cynical and self-serving, those who seek power and money, or seek to protect what they already have obtained. These are men and women who understand full well the lies that are told and the information that is manipulated and they perpetuate it; not out of belief, but because it furthers their agenda. To get, to keep what they believe is rightfully theirs, and deny those same benefits to others is their religion. Their credo is simple, it is not enough to win, others must lose. Compromise is unacceptable. These individuals are not burdened by morality, ethics or faith in any institution save themselves except as a necessary pretense. They inhabit the corridors of government, the boardrooms of corporate interest, the trading pits of Wall Street,and the televised pulpits of apocalyptic religion.

This is the kingdom of absurdity that Jarry created in Ubu Roi, a world in which reality is suspended, leaders act with impunity to undermine the very institutions they were elected to defend, religious pretenders sell entrance to heaven as if it were a spiritual Disneyland, and fake scientists peddle quackery and imaginary solutions as the moment requires. A frustrated, sometimes gullible, angry and stressed electorate must choose, often between bad and worse, between little and big lies, between irrational idealism and cynical profiteering. That my friends is the ‘pataphysical world in which we live.