Those Greeks

I took philosophy about 18 years ago and didn't like it. 

I read Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle this week and my opinion hasn't changed. The whole dialectic argument is reason-less to me. "It seems that I'm wiser than he in just this one small way: that what I don't know, I don't think I know." That's from our old friend Sowcrates. I think debating with him is a bit like pin the tail on the donkey - he gets you good and confused and then asks you to perform a simple task - like telling him if you think you are wise. Whatever your answer is he'll find a way to twist it to fit his argument.  

 Death of Socrates, by Jacques-Louis David

 "The activity of philosophic wisdom is admittedly the pleasantest of virtuous activities." - Aristotle 

 I couldn't disagree more. There are a lot of pleasant virtuous activities that are more pleasant than philosophy, especially when you get graded on it. (One of them even produces children!) My grade in Philosophy, as you can guess from my complete lack of comprehension, was not good. (However the Apgar scores on all of my children were great!)

I toyed with the idea of posting my essay about Socrates. But I didn't want to tempt anyone with plagiarizing. Yes, it is that good - I did mention how much I love philosophy, right? There might have also been a little consideration for my future blog stats too. So if you promise to come back I promise not to post it. 

Comments

[readerMom]

1.

I've always felt that way about philosophy too. Its fun to talk about that stuff sometimes, but to put it ahead of actually living your life seems pointless. I'm glad I never had to take a class in it.