The lie through which we tell the truth

Albert Camus said that fiction is the lie through which we tell the truth. In this inaugural lecture, Pieter Fourie reflects on the disillusionment that followed early professional success, and how this led to a re-evaluation of his life goals, the evolution of his own research agenda, and a current reskilling for pedagogical innovation.

While working at a foreign embassy, he encounters the harsh realities of life through his experience at an Aids orphanage. This interaction becomes a pivotal moment, shifting his focus towards social justice and the politics of health. His career has since explored the political determinants of health, particularly in relation to HIV in Africa.

Not all charitable endeavours are altruistic. Repeatedly confronted with material and moral corruption, Fourie learnt that even well-intentioned institutions can perpetuate harm. This realisation deepened his understanding of the intricate relationship between poverty, politics and health.

He discusses the importance of using ostensibly fictional accounts, such as scenario-building, as a tool for exploring future possibilities and improving policy and decision-making. By embracing uncertainty and using fictional narratives, stakeholders can better navigate complex sociopolitical landscapes. Fiction can encourage innovative thinking, challenging prevailing assumptions and fostering a sense of agency in shaping the present and the future.

Ultimately, Fourie illustrates how personal failures and the truths uncovered through difficult experiences can catalyse profound professional commitments, emphasising the power of storytelling in understanding and addressing global health and other challenges.

For is this not what a “professor” must do? Study the world and be appalled, make an effort to improve it, and foster critical thinking among students.

WATCH THE INAUGURAL LECTURE HERE

Short biography

Pieter Fourie was educated at the universities of Stellenbosch, Paris, London and Johannesburg. His career spans both academia and various other sectors, including roles at the United Nations, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, think tanks, non-governmental organisations, and universities in Australia and South Africa. He has taught a wide range of courses in International Relations, and his research focuses on the political determinants of global health. Fourie is the editor of Routledge’s book series Studies in Health in Africa, a former editor of Politikon: Journal of the South African Association of Political Studies, and previously served as vice-president of the South African Association of Political Studies. He also spent six years as vice-dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. He has authored, co-authored or edited ten academic books, and written a few novels.