New biography of Plato

[Dutch Uncle]

psychology is a respectable degree

For me, those German philosophers are a challenging read.

Plato seems a lot more accessible to the non specialist. At least I thought The Republic was an accessible read.

I enjoyed it, especially the behavioral side. The touchy-feely side not so much. LOL

Agreed on German philosophers in general.

The Republic is a classic but not sure if I read it entirely or only enough to write a short paper. LOL
https://cdn.fulltextarchive.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-advanced-pdf/1/Plato-s-Republic.pdf

It's classic because it broached ideas for the Western world to build upon over the past 2400 years. Still, like the Bible and other ancient texts, the ideas expressed have been overtaken in part by technology and increased sophistication of the population. In other ways, that makes it dated.

It's important to remember the past, but only if it contributes to building a better future. IMO, the political parties like people who are uneducated since they are easier to manipulate.

 

[goat]

I enjoyed it, especially the behavioral side. The touchy-feely side not so much. LOL

Agreed on German philosophers in general.

The Republic is a classic but not sure if I read it entirely or only enough to write a short paper. LOL
https://cdn.fulltextarchive.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-advanced-pdf/1/Plato-s-Republic.pdf

It's classic because it broached ideas for the Western world to build upon over the past 2400 years. Still, like the Bible and other ancient texts, the ideas expressed have been overtaken in part by technology and increased sophistication of the population. In other ways, that makes it dated.

It's important to remember the past, but only if it contributes to building a better future. IMO, the political parties like people who are uneducated since they are easier to manipulate.

Does anyone at least know who the author is?

 

[Cypress]

I enjoyed it, especially the behavioral side. The touchy-feely side not so much. LOL

Agreed on German philosophers in general.

The Republic is a classic but not sure if I read it entirely or only enough to write a short paper. LOL
https://cdn.fulltextarchive.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-advanced-pdf/1/Plato-s-Republic.pdf

It's classic because it broached ideas for the Western world to build upon over the past 2400 years. Still, like the Bible and other ancient texts, the ideas expressed have been overtaken in part by technology and increased sophistication of the population. In other ways, that makes it dated.

It's important to remember the past, but only if it contributes to building a better future. IMO, the political parties like people who are uneducated since they are easier to manipulate.

I think there's still room in the 21st century for the classics. My life is better for having read Plato, Siddhartha Gautama, Aristotle, Confucius, Laozi. It would be unfortunate if a western education was just distilled down to learning statistics, programming, and mechanical engineering.

 

[Dutch Uncle]

I think there's still room in the 21st century for the classics. My life is better for having read Plato, Siddhartha Gautama, Aristotle, Confucius, Laozi. It would be unfortunate if a western education was just distilled down to learning statistics, programming, and mechanical engineering.

I completely agree. Such texts lay down the foundation for understanding how we got from there to here.

The concept was stated very well by philosopher George Santayana: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it"

 

[Melchizedek = Michael]

Wow, Cypress and Doc Dutch show up at same time. What a coincidence!

They share a room!
"Not that there's anything wrong with that"!

 

[Melchizedek = Michael]

I disagree. Many later biographies are based on sources unknown to earlier researchers. Some of those just fill in blanks or give different interpretations to earlier writings.

Some are based on new discoveries or scientific methods (DNA).

That might be true now! But Plato was a long time ago!