Stanley, there’s nothing wrong with political and social theory as such (although there’s plenty that is wrong with most political and social theories). It represents an attempt to resolve practical problems – or at least it ought to. It’s when you get into the abstraction of ‘pure’ philosophy that matters become rather more onanistic or, quite frankly, deranged (read some Wittgenstein and one is left with the impression of a crank writing long, minutely detailed letters to the editor of his local newspaper – in green ink, of course). Contrary to what these ‘philosophers’ would have us believe, it’s all very easy. Why are we here? Chance. Where will we end up? Dust.