No Universalism, No Transcendent Answer

We have acquired the intelligence
To exorcise the ghosts of Cartesian logic,
Universal principles, a priori assumptions, and
Have finally arrived at the impossible condition
Of asserting or denying
Any argument about the universe.

We have begrudgingly acknowledged
After centuries of bickering,
Reformulations and open-minded arguments,
That our intuitions are mere biases
And our philosophies just opinions,
Specific to a time and temper.

Though we know fully well that
By historicizing our ideas
We are creating yet another
Make-believe world of opinions,
We still need a theory and history,
To put out mind to rest.

First published in Best Poem: A Literary Journal, February 16, 2008