Some philosophers, believe it or not, have a habit of getting involved in the issues of the day. Moral issues. Debate that divide and polarize citizenry, and those that power our politics. The formation of public policy.
In this regard, George Grant (1918-1988) was probably Canada’s most important philosopher.
Yet all of this talk about engaged philosophers might come as a surprise. Isn’t philosophy an esoteric, rather removed from ordinary life, sort of discipline?
It doesn’t have to be.
Grant is a good example of how it can be done. Back in the day, he warned us about getting our cultural identity absorbed by American culture (How’s that going these days?); allowing technology to strip us of our human dignity (I can hardly wait for the iWatch!); and modernity’s loss of moral direction (“Direction?” Where do we even start?).
But only “some philosophers” get involved in the public square on matters of public interest. So the charge of philosophy, having little importance for the community at large, has some force. Most, along with their fellow, tenured colleagues prefer the glow of their computer screens reflecting their research, and the cozied libraries of their university offices. The collegial rubbings of their fellow academics in the proverbial Ivory Tower.
Meanwhile, the community outside writhes and struggles with debates, which, at times, appear intractable.
Perhaps I can try to do my part, as philosopher, on the Woodfibre LNG issue now facing Squamish, the broader community, even the province at large. At least one thing we are trained to do, qua philosopher, is to try to make the necessary and correct distinctions on a given issue… and to ask the right questions. One remarkable philosopher, who very much mucked it up in the public square, was Voltaire. He put it brilliantly: Before we argue, define your terms.
So let’s begin by noting that timing is everything. Perhaps not attributable to Socrates, but it could be… especially in politics. And in case you’ve been living in a cave these past few months in B.C., you would’ve heard about the proposed Woodfibre LNG facility to be placed beside Squamish, beside the ocean.
What to think?
There’s not enough space here to go into the details of the LNG aspirations of our B.C. Premier, some members of our present municipal council and mayor, or the environmental and economic consequences of the Woodfibre LNG proposal.
You should at least understand, for the moment, Premier Clark’s massive LNG plans start with Squamish’s Woodfibre LNG project. Seen from that venue, briefly, it involves the making, or losing, of billions of dollars. Creating jobs, or losing jobs. It even connects with the most important of current topics: Climate Change.
Again, the timing thing.
It turns out that, on November 15, we are facing municipal elections here in Squamish and throughout B.C. Seeing as LNG is such an important issue for Squamish and our province, it should be seen as a litmus test for our municipal candidates.
Why the litmus test? Yes, the topic is somewhat complex. Probably less, however, than many of the other topics council members will face over their period of tenure. Yes, the issue has become contentious, even dividing friendships. But while trying to forge our community’s values, that’s the nature of these topics.
To move toward the ideal of democracy, much greater sacrifice has been offered by those who have gone before us. So we shouldn’t complain.
So make no mistake. Whether you’ve heard much about the LNG proposal or not, for those with political aspirations, with a desire to be a municipal leader in our Squamish community, there has been ample opportunity to get informed about what the Woodfibre LNG proposal is all about.
Given the massive importance this proposal has for our community, each municipal candidate should, by now, have an informed opinion about it. For those candidates still waiting; for those who are still looking for more “facts and information;” they should be seen as not ready to take on public office.
That’s why the Woodfibre LNG proposal is a litmus test for public office: Are you able to sift through the facts? To form an opinion based on the science? The evidence? To see through political and corporate meanderings? To do it in a transparent fashion? If you can do it well on the Woodfibre matter, you’ll most likely be able to do it on other topics you’ll face as mayor, or as city councilors.
Yet there’s more required for being on city council than this LNG litmus test. That’s why, as important as this topic is for Squamish, we don’t want our candidates to be a one-trick pony. That all they can say is “Yea” or “Nay” about Woodfibre LNG.
Here’s the optimism. Many of those now running for city council and for mayor, are not only informed about the very serious topic of Woodfibre LNG, but also have quickly shown they have a strong vision for the future of Squamish on a host of other issues we are now facing, and will continue to face in the coming years.
The timing is all coming together. Now it’s up to you to do a little more reading and thinking, as you prepare to make your very important vote on November 15.
