Block Donald

My son has seen Tom and Jerry with my ex-wife now. I have never watched it with him, but we have watched some other, less violent classics together like Rocky and Bullwinkle. He is particularly fond of the metal munching moon mice.

read Plato and Aristotle and take it from there

My son has seen Tom and Jerry with my ex-wife now. I have never watched it with him, but we have watched some other, less violent classics together like Rocky and Bullwinkle. He is particularly fond of the metal munching moon mice.

read Plato and Aristotle and take it from there

I have a copy of some of Plato's works (I think it was conversations with strangers or that sort), but a friend of mind borrowed it. Aristotle's here, though. I see the Athenian Constitution and Politics. Everything else is either metaphysics or on animals... very strange, never thought of Aristotle as the kind of man who'd write on animals of all things.

But damn, these books are dense.

Aristotle was more of an encyclopedist sometimes.... read the Apology and the Republic by Plato before delving into Aristotle's Politics or his notes on the Athenian Constitution. Aristotle studied at Plato's academy so Plato is the starting point. You may be interested by Confucius as well. He's the father of eastern political thought. Once you get that digested you may want to consult Cicero keeping in mind that his point of view, while persuasive because of his rhetorical skill, should be taken in historical context remembering that he was a practicing politician and not merely a theorist. Antony was sending a clear message to the big mouths of the roman senate when he nailed Cicero's hands and tongue to the curia doors. Not unlike Machiavelli who worked in government before putting pen to paper, understanding Cicero's life and times will lend balance to his view point. For that matter, if you want to really wrap your head around Plato it won't hurt you to read Plutarch's lives of Solon and Lycurgus as well as reviewing Thucydides' History of the Peloponesian war.

But damn, these books are dense.

and so you may find it instructive to read them multiple times... I've worn out multiple copies over the years... there, I've done it, used 'multiple' twice in a row when I could have said 'numerous,' feel better?

Plato is particularly enjoyable to read and reread because he writes in the form of dialogues between Socratese and his friends, characters you grow to love warts and all. I am particularly fond of Glaucon. Aristotle has a more authorial voice and is, therefore, a lot tougher for modern readers to digest, though his style is more emulated by post-Christian philosophers. Plato's writings are full of life (I am sure influenced by the Athenian dramatists who were so popular at the time) and practically read themselves. They are real page turners.

Well, I mean in terms of diction. I'll probably want to get myself a pocket dictionary because reading classic authour can be difficult at times.

They have the five great dialogues including Apology at my local library. Time to take a walk.

you may want to grab Xenophon's account of the trial and death of Socrates while you are there.... I expect they will have that too.

Well, I mean in terms of diction. >

the word you are looking for is 'syntax,' diction is related but does not mean what you think it means.... I am not trying to be a dick, just saving you embarrassment if you are in a conversation with someone more combative than myself in future.

In the words of Handy the hand-puppet from the short lived "tick" animated series, "read a book, you're making us look like jerks."

Just teasing you, don't take offense. But seriously, reading your comments I am reminded of the political expediency of media pundits. Your confusion and apathy is based in each side's attempt to reframe the debate in such a way that they will appeal to the large, anti-intellectual segment of the American populace. Believe me, most of these politicians are well-read, well-educated pseudo-aristocrats who can and will think and talk rings around the rest of us mortals. They are political scientists rather than political philosophers. As a voter you should get informed about the underlying principles and precedents before tackling the particulars of the day's debate. A great deal of knowledge is required to navigate America's rhetorical minefield or really develop an informed opinion on geo-political issues. But there's no test for voters (plato would be crushed) and if there were I doubt it would help because it would literally be impossible to create an unbiased exam. The rough and tumble of uninformed political action has on occasion lead our nation down the path to greatness as well as folly, so who can say....

at any rate, a politician is someone who speaks a great deal while saying very little while an intellectual is someone whose mind watches itself. And of course a fool and his money are soon parted. How do you see yourself in that light?

Well, I mean in terms of diction. >

the word you are looking for is 'syntax,' diction is related but does not mean what you think it means.... I am not trying to be a dick, just saving you embarrassment if you are in a conversation with someone more combative than myself in future.

No worries, I take corrections seriously.

I cannot believe that the OP hasn't been back to flame me or Narcist....

I love EB. Everyone's so mellow.

Same here, I've been to a few other forums (including guitar-unrelated forums) and I have to say that this has been the best. Some can be quite viscous for the purpose of... actually, now that I think about it, those people just weren't nice to begin with. Very eccentric in a bad way too.

If I haven't said before, It's probably the lack of people. Everyone's a bit more tight-knit. I'm here to stay.

I kinda hope someone brings out the Gearslutz 5-year member award and platers EquipBoard's name on it :D