Reflections from Rancière: five villanelles

It’s Meno’s paradox I take to heart.You taught me this yet proved your teaching vain.If naught’s foreknown how then can learning start?

It seems those plus-marks on my progress-chartWere things that I forgot, then learned again.It’s Meno’s paradox I take to heart.

Forgetting’s a much underrated art,Said Nietzsche, one that helps us to keep sane.If all’s foreknown how then can learning start? 

Well known to you but not to poor DescartesWho thought all truths must show up sharp and plain.It’s Meno’s paradox I take to heart.

You taught me: no thought-strategy so smartIt yields up truths fresh-minted in the brain.If naught’s foreknown how then can learning start?

That’s how my anamnesis plays its partBy setting your maieutic skills in train.It’s Meno’s paradox I take to heart;If all’s foreknown how then can learning start?