Seriousness

This is an all seriousness consideration: arranging a dinner for people I value, in this life, in earlier lives, in this world, in other worlds? Or should I restrict my invitations, to the living? Surely not. To this reality, past or present? May be?

As the host I am responsible for compatibility, mutual attraction even. No point in getting people who can’t stand each other at the same table. Who then? Let’s be bold, this being after all fiction, even speculation: who says I can invite anyone I feel would belong to this gathering? Let’s assume it is true, this assumption could later be validated, or not.

Jesus is King

First and foremost is to invite our Lord’s son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is King  and will preside.

Invitations

Confucius: I think this article gives some idea as to why his presence is indispensable. His spirit is at the core of modern China, and of its modern philosophers, including Sji-Xiping, president of China since 2013.

Brahma, the Hindu triumvirate

Buddha: doesn’t not need introduction. 

Constantine: who founded Constantinople, and briefly reunited the Eastern and Western Roman empires

Charlemagne: in The European Middle Ages, the successor of Constantine

Henri IV and Montaigne: the leader of the Protestant party in France (16ht century) and king of France until his assassination, and the commentator of that time of tragedies, author of the Essays.

Catherine the Great: the founder of modern Russia

Friedrich of Prussia: son of the Soldier King, who built Sans-Souçi: my reference book is Iron Kingdom (Christopher Clarke)

Bismark: who united Germany in 1871

Ivan Ilyin: author of Resistance to Evil, philosopher, apostle of a new Russia

Jean Jaurès: murdered before the start of the First World War, 1914

JF Kennedy: murdered at the start of the Cold War, 1963

Mishima: author of the Sea of Fertility tetralogy, in my view the greatest novel of the second half of the twentieth century

Giovanni Arrighi, author of the Long Twentieth Century, Adam Smith In Beijing

MichaelHudson, author of the Destiny of Civilisation and many other books on economics and that haunting subject: Debt and the rentier class.

Of all my invitations only Michael Hudson is alive at time of writing. What do they have in common: in various degrees, a massive influence on the lives and minds of contemporary and later people, through history. Christ presides.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when it comes to extending an invitation to dinner, the question of who to invite can be a thought-provoking one. Should we limit our invitations to only the living, or should we consider those we value from past lives or even other worlds? It’s a matter of personal belief and perspective. Ultimately, the decision lies with us, but perhaps opening our doors to a broader spectrum of guests can lead to fascinating conversations, connections, and a richer appreciation for the diverse experiences of life. So, why not embrace the possibility of hosting a dinner that transcends time and reality? Happy dining!