Introduction

At one time, I was fortunate enough to study but not necessarily understand "Moral and Social Philosophy". I had an old scanner, long after I had finished these studies, with which I wanted to upload my c.v. to my computer. The OCR function read "moral" as "floral", and I long thought that would have been such a fragrant subject to study. In a sense, it is perhaps also a nice metaphor for all the changes in the NHS - re-arranging the flowers in the vase, making sure the brightest blooms catch the eye, and trying hard to look great even if the water has become stagnant. Hence my stories from Septford, recounting actual experiences from the NHS in an allegorical manner, with due respect to George Orwell who also changed his name. I claim no other similarities.

Farmchair Filosophy grew out of Septford as a self-indulgent opportunity to have fun with words and ideas unfettered from reality. As far as I am aware, there have been no documents unearthed about Helena Haycartes! Helena Jans was actually the wife of Rene Descartes. He was most famous for "I think therefore I am" (hence Helena's rant about his being the big "I am") and for Cartesian Dualism - not about living a double life, but drawing the distinction between mind and body.

Helena's comment about her husband being "nothing" refers to the philosophical doctrine of existenial nihilism, which I will not attempt to explain because I know nothing.

I am happy for you to post comments and questions which I will do my best to answer if it helps to maximise your enjoyment of my ramblings and ponder dippings.