If Socrates Had an iPod

[the_mess]

x-posted to /r/philosophyI was wondering about what’s wrong with philosophers of today, when it struck me what an interesting topic that is. The philosophers of then, now, back at the beginning… We often say that some things are ahead of their time. So rare is it, though. So much is a product of its time. This got me wondering, “What if Socrates

Comments

[take_276]

The lack of face-to-face interaction is troubling, but I think that will change once technology (and political action) frees us of some more of our obligations.

Well, maybe I'll be proved wrong about this, but I doubt that technology and/or government will ever free us from the obligations that rob us of our time and limit our personal interactions. History shows us that technological advances generally benefit factory owners and investors, not workers. Let's say some sort of technological breakthrough makes it possible for a factory to double its production. The plant owners could continue to pay workers the same salary for half the work. 40-hour weeks could become 20-hour weeks, increasing our opportunities for leisure and friendly interactions. But that's not what happens. Instead, the plant owners lay off half the workers and require the rest to continue working the traditional 40-hour week. I would love to be wrong about this, but I just don't see the powers that be freeing us from our obligations.

What troubles me is our contentment with the existent hierarchies.

I agree with you, here. Most of the things that are considered "respectable" in modern society are quite reprehensible upon closer inspection. But I'm not convinced that everyone sees the problems inherent in our brand of civilization. It seems that you realize just how tenuous things are, but you're definitely in the minority. Dysfunction certainly motivates us to engage in philosophy, but how many people even recognize Western society as being dysfunctional? All of the "We're #1", "God Bless America", and "America--Love It or Leave It" bumper stickers that I see on a daily basis would indicated that many are missing the point.