10 Oct 05
Originally posted by bbarrThe first section of the Greek Ethics part of my philosophy degree is on the Apology, I'm starting to read it tomorrow, so cool.
Well, why don't you guys pick the one you find the most interesting. We can all take a few days to read it, and then we'll start. I'm pretty sure the full text of all Plato's dialogues can be found online.
Can I just bring one thing up though? My philosophy lecturer said that there is no proof that Socrates even existed, some think he was a historical character and some a fictional one. Bennett, do you have any clarity on this?
10 Oct 05
Originally posted by Bosse de NageI might just take that opportunity to say that philosophy appears to have come a long way of late, the ratio of attractive young women to old tweed jacket wearing beardies is a lot higher than expected.
Will you have to do a practical for your "Greek ethics" (nudge nudge wink wink)?
10 Oct 05
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Originally posted by StarrmanSince Socrates didn't write anything, it is hard to reconstruct his biography. But references to him appear not only in Plato, but in the satirical works Clouds and Wasps by Aristophanes (in this latter work, A lampoons S by turning his name to a verb; to "socratize" ), as well as the philosophical works of Xenophon and Aristotle. Note that the references made about Socrates in Aristophane's plays predate the works of Plato and Xenophon; the latter were infants while Aristophane was writing.
The first section of the Greek Ethics part of my philosophy degree is on the Apology, I'm starting to read it tomorrow, so cool.
Can I just bring one thing up though? My philosophy lecturer said that there is no proof that Socrates even existed, some think he was a historical character and some a fictional one. Bennett, do you have any clarity on this?
Whatever the case, it is the substance of the work that is important, not the biography of the man. So, let's start with The Apology. How about we begin our discussion of this on Wednesday, after folks have had a chance to read the dialogue?
10 Oct 05
Originally posted by bbarrSounds good to me.
Since Socrates didn't write anything, it is hard to reconstruct his biography. But references to him appear not only in Plato, but in the satirical works Clouds and Wasps by Aristophanes (in this latter work, A lampoons S by turning his name to a verb; to "socratize" ), as well as the philosophical works of Xenophon and Aristotle. Note that ...[text shortened]... e begin our discussion of this on Wednesday, after folks have had a chance to read the dialogue?
12 Oct 05
Originally posted by bbarrProbably just being pedantic, but aren't some of these references lost in history?
Since Socrates didn't write anything, it is hard to reconstruct his biography. But references to him appear not only in Plato, but in the satirical works Clouds and Wasps by Aristophanes (in this latter work, A lampoons S by turning his name to a verb; to "socratize" ), as well as the philosophical works of Xenophon and Aristotle. Note that ...[text shortened]... e begin our discussion of this on Wednesday, after folks have had a chance to read the dialogue?
12 Oct 05
Originally posted by lucifershammerI'm reporting references that are not lost in history. References lost in history are beyond my ability to report. Seriously, though, we have the works by Aristophanes, Plato, Xenophon and Aristotle, so what's the problem?
Probably just being pedantic, but aren't some of these references lost in history?
I guess we should start tomorrow, since not all of us have done the reading.
12 Oct 05
Originally posted by bbarrMaybe you can suggest a list of key questions/aspects that readers can focus on - to guide the reading.
I'm reporting references that are not lost in history. References lost in history are beyond my ability to report. Seriously, though, we have the works by Aristophanes, Plato, Xenophon and Aristotle, so what's the problem?
I guess we should start tomorrow, since not all of us have done the reading.