On the priority of character: “Wealth does not bring goodness, but goodness brings wealth and every other blessing, both to the individual and to the State” (Apology, 30b). On the dangers of democracy: “No man on earth who conscientiously opposes you or any other organized democracy, and flatly prevents a great many wrongs and illegalities […]
In class: Socrates in Plato’s *Apology* Read More »
2150 years ago, the historian of Rome wrote: Text: “In the natural, spontaneous course of events, the first [political] system to arise is monarchy, and this is followed by kingship, but it takes the deliberate correction of the defects of monarchy for it to develop into kingship. Kingship changes into its congenital vice—that is, into
Polybius on degenerate democracy Read More »
I like this photograph. It reminds me that no matter how fractious our current political mood is, we live in civilized times. Democratic-republics are peaceful in an important respect: Transfers of power rarely require the death of the current top office holder. Carter, Bush 1, Clinton, Bush 2, and Obama are still alive, and each
Living ex-presidents and democratic health Read More »
The Tale of the Slave By Robert Nozick Robert Nozick was Professor of Philosophy at Harvard University. Consider the following sequence of cases, which we shall call the Tale of the Slave, and imagine it is about you. 1. There is a slave completely at the mercy of his brutal master’s whims. He often is
Nozick’s Tale of the Slave [excerpt] Read More »
How is this for an oath of allegiance to one’s monarch? “We, who are as good as you, swear to you, who are no better than us, to accept you as our king and sovereign lord, provided you observe all our liberties and laws — but if not, not.” I’ve been reading Robert Hughes’s 2004
Fiery Catalan independence Read More »
[This is Section 36 of Nietzsche and the Nazis.] 36. Instinct, passion, and anti-reason Hitler was fond of saying, in private, “What luck that men do not think.” Another significant point of agreement exists between Nietzsche and the Nazis: Both agree that the great conflicts will not be solved rationally, through the processes of discussion,
Instinct, passion, and anti-reason Read More »