I just don’t think reading Plato is giving me any new insight into matters that I find interesting or valuable at the present time. He’s only ever beeI just don’t think reading Plato is giving me any new insight into matters that I find interesting or valuable at the present time. He’s only ever been “contextually” interesting to me.
I also think reading Plato recently has taught me that I would rather read about Plato, or thinker’s opinions on Plato, than Plato....more
Socrates' rethoric is the least compelling it has ever been to me here. He basically died to make a very weak point.Socrates' rethoric is the least compelling it has ever been to me here. He basically died to make a very weak point....more
I know that's not what they're discussing, but Euthyphro was in the right, his dad is a murderer. But whether or not Greek Laws would agree with him iI know that's not what they're discussing, but Euthyphro was in the right, his dad is a murderer. But whether or not Greek Laws would agree with him is something I honestly ignore......more
Reviewing certain parts of the book I am reminded of how strong the ending is. With Plato you sometimes have the feeling that you're reading fiction rReviewing certain parts of the book I am reminded of how strong the ending is. With Plato you sometimes have the feeling that you're reading fiction rather than just simply philosophy and maybe that's the key to "enjoy" his books on a basic level....more
Seneca is so strange to me. He feels warmer than either Epictetus or Marcus Aurelius, but his warmth is very precise and deliberate. Manipulative evenSeneca is so strange to me. He feels warmer than either Epictetus or Marcus Aurelius, but his warmth is very precise and deliberate. Manipulative even. This guy wasn’t much of a stoic, but he preached its wisdom, and preached it did he well, but how good could he possibly be, really?
Not that all of these letters could have ever been equally enlightening of course (if they were really letters), but some occasional lines and quotes are very good, so his rhetorical talents were put to good use. But still...if your preacher told you not to sin and he was a sinner, but his advice was still sound...what do you do? Do you pick a better master? Or do you treat the wisdom as your true master? Is the philosophy even good at that point?
The Theogony is a little bit more than a sequence of name-droppings in the first half and some also in the second half, if we're being hoAn odd read.
The Theogony is a little bit more than a sequence of name-droppings in the first half and some also in the second half, if we're being honest. It could have used some more breaks to dwell into the myths it was usually referring to, but who am I to criticize a thousands of years old poem?
I happened to enjoy Works and Days a bit more, which came as a surprise to me, as it seemed like the "boring" one. The first half and it's allusions to the Myth of the Five Ages and the Myth of Pandora were great, even better than the one to Prometheus in the Theogony. The second half is a collection of life hacks Hesiod is willing to give to his brother (?) on how to handle his lands better... okay.
Stylistically I don't have much to say, other than, maybe, that I wasn't very pleased by it, but surely that was a problem of the translation (mine isStylistically I don't have much to say, other than, maybe, that I wasn't very pleased by it, but surely that was a problem of the translation (mine is quite old).
But we're here for the story, of course! And what a story is the Iliad. The matters of pride as a cause of conflict and regret seemed to matter to me the most in this first reading, but enough has been written about it elsewhere, and I don't feel the strength right now to dive into it further.
No, I won't say much more. I did find it a very rewarding! And I'm very much looking forward on getting more of the historical context. In fact, history, and not literature, might have been what motivated me into reading the Iliad in the first place. Can't say it wasn't worth it......more
The chapters where Odysseus accounts his adventures are among the most pleasing in all of literature and definitely something I would recommend every The chapters where Odysseus accounts his adventures are among the most pleasing in all of literature and definitely something I would recommend every book enthusiast to try out at least once.
The rest is... appropriately skipped in adaptation. As I understand it, these poems had guesthood and home as major themes (or some of its themes), so... there's a lot of that here. Telemachus visiting characters from the war in Troy, seeking news of his land. The relationship between the Phaeacians and Odysseus, and how these finally lead him to Ithaca. Odysseus also visiting the Underworld, the guests of Ithaca at the home of Penelope... and so on.
Does this mean the Odyssey is not worth reading past chapter 12? Well, that depends on what you seek in the the reading. The complete package, because you're a big boy/girl? Sure, give it a try. I doubt you could grow to regret such a decision. Classics should be read, after all.
But if you're not feeling like reading 8 chapters of Telemachus journeys through the whatevers of Ancient Greece... just read the major dish. It's okay. You can come back for the rest later....more
I knew what I was getting myself into, but Plato's hypothetical paradise is more akin to expecting things to run on the clock based on some weird "uncI knew what I was getting myself into, but Plato's hypothetical paradise is more akin to expecting things to run on the clock based on some weird "uncontaminated perfect-thought" system for all members of society, rather than leaving a solid base for all individuals to thrive in.
Now, I wasn't expecting a class in agronomy, but it can't be as easy as massive brainwash, can it? we literally live connected to phones 24/7 and everyone still hates each other and is miserable all the time (this could not be by default, right???). OK, in fairness, Plato also proposes eugenics. And sparkling monarchism (an intellectual variation).
.. Maybe they haven't thought this through as much as they believed. Waiting impatiently for Plato to drop the second part to address these issues.
Small update: finished the other half I didn't read. Stuff here and there that was good obviously, but not what I needed right now......more
The translation might have made it sound more arrogant than it should be.
In general, it's far too invested in the purity of the believer and its suppThe translation might have made it sound more arrogant than it should be.
In general, it's far too invested in the purity of the believer and its supposed merits than in, say, the rightful path itself, or the path to helping others.
For me, Buddhism has always been a wise friend of sorts, not something I actually believe in. I have not crossed the barrier of the dogmatic, and I still pride myself in my skepticism. I also prefer living alive rather than regretless.
Still, lots to be learned in a reading of this nature. Liked it a lot....more
I randomly decided to read this. Since there was no "use" for me behind it, I didn't really pay it any attention, as far as details go. And I know nexI randomly decided to read this. Since there was no "use" for me behind it, I didn't really pay it any attention, as far as details go. And I know next to nothing about Babylonian culture, which makes my sudden urge all the more strange.
Anyway, Hammurabi wasn't a guy that fucked around. Almost all of these "laws" are punished by death, nuance and degrees of severity be damned. I remember one of them being about nuns (?) not being allowed to drink or else they were burned alive? It's brutal from start to finish. It's also interesting how there isn't really a consensus as to what these precepts are exactly: laws? Past cases? An early attempt at compiling jurisprudence? Crazy stuff. I'm probably going to find more enjoyment in the Gilgamesh though....more
I was decently pleased by The Manual this time around. Many of the teachings resonated with me and I feel in a better mood for it, with the teachings I was decently pleased by The Manual this time around. Many of the teachings resonated with me and I feel in a better mood for it, with the teachings being nice, tonifying and recomforting.
Part of my original criticism seemed to be aimed against its conformism, and though I do find Epictetus a bit too "traumatized" by life to be of better help, he can be quite... consistent. I value consistency, clarity and bluntness these days.
Or maybe I woke up more of a stoic today, who knows......more
The Symposium works in a way The Republic doesn’t for me. Maybe its briefness played in its favour. I disagree with most of their definitions for love The Symposium works in a way The Republic doesn’t for me. Maybe its briefness played in its favour. I disagree with most of their definitions for love (find Socrates’ cute, actually), but I do feel the vibe, so to speak. Bunch of drunkards, shouting monologues at each other…it’s nice, I don’t know.
Still, a cold and unbothered reading. I rate it similarly to the Republic because the latter had more range, but I’m surprised by how little impact Plato is having on me… ...more
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