I was naturally aware that the late Peter Serracino-Inglott often mesmerised his listeners; but I was taken aback to learn, thanks to Godfrey Farrugia, (‘When can we say that a human being is a person? The Sunday Times of Malta, May 6), that: “Prof. Serracino Inglott had in 2015 hypnotised his own opinion.”

What’s more startling? Hypnotising your own opinion – or managing this ineffably mysterious feat no fewer than three years after your death? Fr Peter, you devil!

On a more serious note, it’s a pity that Dr Farrugia radically misunderstands Charles Taylor’s understanding of personhood, which is closely bound to his broader ideas about solidarity, authenticity and community.

Taylor (b.1931) is the greatest living Catholic social and political philosopher. Fr Peter was friends with him at Oxford and it’s from Taylor that, almost 40 years ago, Fr Peter adapted the notion of a ‘dialogue society’ as a serious alternative to the political repression then current.

If the centre-left in Malta wants to come up with a coherent, communitarian, attractive political alternative to the reigning neo-liberal cronyism, Taylor’s thought is still an excellent starting point.