[argh.]
Wow, so I never thought so many things could go wrong in 48 hours, but apparently they can. I shall know better from here on out. Thanks to nimori, cjmarlowe, and especially spifftastic for keeping me from just slitting my wrists in frustration. I mean that in a non-hyperbolic sense. Fortunately my knives were already packed so it was okay.
Anyhow! I'm back in Santa Fe now, and I think I won't be braving an airport again for quite some time. I have the weekend off, and I will most definitely be making use of it. This bed is looking more and more appealing as my permanent home for the next three days. But we shall see.
I have to go to class in about an hour, and I'm just finishing up my reading, and that put me in mind of the questions and such I said I was going to post. So as I'm sort of short on time, I shall just toss them out there for now, and hopefully will come home to some interesting discussion. ETA: You don't have to have read these books to answer the questions. If you have a personal opinion, great. If you want to play off of something someone else said, go for it. If you want to ask questions, that's great too. (But there's nothing wrong with wanting to read the books. I recommend it. ;) )
1. In Plato's The Republic, Socrates discusses the nature of justice with a number of people, and one of the first questions that comes up is the difference between justice and injustice, and when it is that injustice comes into play in a society. If you begin with an ideal society, a small group of people who live in perfect harmony, as that society evolves, what is it that causes the birth of injustice? How would you define the terms in this case, being as general or as specific as you like.
2. Later on, Socrates goes on to talk about how justice is a virtue, and thus the most virtuous of men (i.e. the ones who are the most just) should be the leaders of a society, just like those who are most musical should be musicians, those best at tilling land should be farmers, etc. Additionally, in order to maximise this trait, the just man must necessarily eschew pursuit of other endeavours so he can focus on justice. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
3. Plato's Meno touches on the topic of virtue as a general entity, and Socrates states that virtue is a gift from the gods and a function of the soul that has only to be tapped into, and thus it is not something that can be taught. His argument follows that therefore everyone should endeavour to soul-search as much as possible and ask as many questions as possible and never be satisfied with the answers in order to become a virtuous member of society. What do you feel about this whole concept in general? Is there an advantage to constantly asking questions, or can it be a downfall? If you've read Meno, compare and contrast the two men with whom Socrates speaks (Menon and Anyton), and their reactions to his insistence that the pursuit of knowledge is a fundamental human role.
3b. This is one that came up in our discussion -- what is your personal definition of teaching / a teacher? Do you differentiate between teaching someone and helping them learn? Do you think someone who just asks you a lot of directed questions is teaching you anything, or are they just being annoying? Do you have a preference between asking an expert to tell you the answers and puzzling it out for yourself? Is one way better than the other? Why?
4. Do you think Socrates contradicts himself all the time? Does that affect your perception of his arguments? (In other words, is Socrates really full of shit?)
5. And now for something completely different: in Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics, Aristotle talks about the greater good being far more important than the individual components. Do you agree with this, or do you have some doubts about the validity of the statement?
Feel free to talk amongst yourselves! *wiggles fingers*
Oh, and while I'm thinking about it --
Poll
Anyhow! I'm back in Santa Fe now, and I think I won't be braving an airport again for quite some time. I have the weekend off, and I will most definitely be making use of it. This bed is looking more and more appealing as my permanent home for the next three days. But we shall see.
I have to go to class in about an hour, and I'm just finishing up my reading, and that put me in mind of the questions and such I said I was going to post. So as I'm sort of short on time, I shall just toss them out there for now, and hopefully will come home to some interesting discussion. ETA: You don't have to have read these books to answer the questions. If you have a personal opinion, great. If you want to play off of something someone else said, go for it. If you want to ask questions, that's great too. (But there's nothing wrong with wanting to read the books. I recommend it. ;) )
1. In Plato's The Republic, Socrates discusses the nature of justice with a number of people, and one of the first questions that comes up is the difference between justice and injustice, and when it is that injustice comes into play in a society. If you begin with an ideal society, a small group of people who live in perfect harmony, as that society evolves, what is it that causes the birth of injustice? How would you define the terms in this case, being as general or as specific as you like.
2. Later on, Socrates goes on to talk about how justice is a virtue, and thus the most virtuous of men (i.e. the ones who are the most just) should be the leaders of a society, just like those who are most musical should be musicians, those best at tilling land should be farmers, etc. Additionally, in order to maximise this trait, the just man must necessarily eschew pursuit of other endeavours so he can focus on justice. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
3. Plato's Meno touches on the topic of virtue as a general entity, and Socrates states that virtue is a gift from the gods and a function of the soul that has only to be tapped into, and thus it is not something that can be taught. His argument follows that therefore everyone should endeavour to soul-search as much as possible and ask as many questions as possible and never be satisfied with the answers in order to become a virtuous member of society. What do you feel about this whole concept in general? Is there an advantage to constantly asking questions, or can it be a downfall? If you've read Meno, compare and contrast the two men with whom Socrates speaks (Menon and Anyton), and their reactions to his insistence that the pursuit of knowledge is a fundamental human role.
3b. This is one that came up in our discussion -- what is your personal definition of teaching / a teacher? Do you differentiate between teaching someone and helping them learn? Do you think someone who just asks you a lot of directed questions is teaching you anything, or are they just being annoying? Do you have a preference between asking an expert to tell you the answers and puzzling it out for yourself? Is one way better than the other? Why?
4. Do you think Socrates contradicts himself all the time? Does that affect your perception of his arguments? (In other words, is Socrates really full of shit?)
5. And now for something completely different: in Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics, Aristotle talks about the greater good being far more important than the individual components. Do you agree with this, or do you have some doubts about the validity of the statement?
Feel free to talk amongst yourselves! *wiggles fingers*
Oh, and while I'm thinking about it --
Poll