The Daanadell Table of English Proficiency was not a table at first. It took some time before it turned out to be something that could not be more suitable than a table. The initiative was assumed to be primarily an institute, where individuals could learn about philosophy and engage in writing to generate new thoughts and individualized manners of thinking. Through time, I realized that it is very difficult to keep a population interested in philosophy and to make individuals come regularly to an institute for thinking. I began to understand that doing philosophy is difficult to sustain in Middle Eastern populations, among which thoughts are scattered and are cherished verbally rather than in writing. People can like philosophy as long as it does not get difficult. In the Middle Eastern atmosphere where I am, the balance between coherence and cohesion in philosophy gradually shows itself at best when thoughts are intended to remain personalized in most circumstances, each person thinking of personal growth and wanting to prioritize a route to a self-proclaimed voice. In effect, embarking on philosophy appeared to be more about individualized thought and personal vision on matters, from which a voice can begin to grow arms and legs in developing uniquely.

Having an institute would have required a lot of energy if it were to focus on philosophy. Sometime later, I imagined that I could name this body of philosophy a School of Philosophy – Daanadell School of Philosophy – but then again a school was a fantasy because there was no guarantee that my thoughts would be organized enough and appreciated by other people for a School to emerge. Then, I thought that the body of philosophy and the endeavor could be turned into an office – Daanadell Office of Philosophy. In that case, an office connotes a sense of workplace, something that can be too serious, which many people and I might not be able to afford psychologically and financially. Then, I thought about calling it the Daanadell Desk of Philosophy. But the desk would have been too personalized and private since a desk usually has one chair and I did not mean to close the door on people. Besides, having a desk would have meant something common; everybody has a desk nowadays and it would have been nowhere near unique to call it a desk. Ultimately, I thought that naming it a Table of Philosophy would be better, something that is not institutionalized, unlike an institute. It is not formalized and not too confident, unlike a School of Philosophy. It is neither an office nor a workplace. It can be leisurely sometimes, without a decrease in seriousness. The Table is something at which people can come and go if they want to, unlike a desk by which strangers and friends alike are advised against distracting the owner. The Table offers a space where people can come by their wish and at their own time; they can sit around and speak. They can communicate around the table infrequently, without anyone expecting them to attend, unlike an institute that usually does. It is not too personalized and not too private. It is not a desk. It is open to everybody and all can criticize my thoughts if they wish while being my guest at the Table. Nonetheless, I rarely accept donations of thought because I am a self-contained thinker and I write. I am relieved and excited more than ever. I am at my Daanadell Table of English Proficiency.

Mohsen H. Darabi