Inaugural lecture for the chair “Theory of world views” at the University for Humanist Studies, Utrecht, The Netherlands. The lecture was part of a performance with paintings by Richard Hefti; the sculpture Triumph of Love by Tom Puckey; masks by Philip Boas for nine girls in the role of ‘dianges’ (contraction of ‘diable’ and ‘ange’); live music by Jan Boerman and a juggler, who managed to keep his balls in the air during the oration of 45 minutes. Location: F.H. Fentener van Vlissingen Hall, Conservatorium of the Utrecht School for the Arts.