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 »
Oscar Wilde was seated next to an elegant lady at a dinner party. The conversation became animated and contesting, and Wilde asked the women if she would go to bed with him for one million pounds. The woman was flustered, but upon consideration said Yes, she probably would. Wilde then asked if she would go
Prostitution, principles and integrity: Oscar Wilde anecdote Read More »
A palliative care nurse reports the top five regrets that patients expressed to her: 1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me. “This was the most common regret of all. When people realise that their life is almost over and look back
Top regrets of the dying Read More »
“Only through the group, I realised — through sharing the suffering of the group — could the body reach that height of existence that the individual alone could never attain. And for the body to reach that level at which the divine might be glimpsed, a dissolution of individuality was necessary. The tragic quality of
Yukio Mishima’s sacrificial collectivism, nationalist version Read More »
Some things are absolutes, and the brain-eaters are busy in many social sectors. All we want to do is eat your brainsWe’re not unreasonable; I mean, no one’s gonna eat your eyesAll we want is to do is eat your brainsWe’re at an impasse here; maybe we should compromise:If you open up the doorsWe’ll all
Moral compromise, Zombie version Read More »
Two-minute answers to key questions about philosophy, politics, art, and the meaning of life. This clip: What is the source of self-dignity? Filmed in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The full series is published at the CEE Video Channel. Description: At some point in our lives, we each ask ourselves the big questions. How we respond has
What Is Dignity? | Philosophy for Real Life (10 of 22) | Stephen Hicks Read More »
Quick comment on the tweet’s rhetoric: Step 1: Government incentivizes orgy of debt. Step 2: Many semi-responsible people indulge. Step 3: Predictable economic disaster ensues. Step 4: Debtors ask government to wave its magic money wand to disappear their debts. Correction to Step 4: They *demand* the disappearance of the debt. Step 5: Throw in claim that
Debt responsibilities, student edition Read More »
You are a law-abiding citizen and a lover of art. You happen to be in a bar in Rome one night in 1506, where you witness a drunken, brawling Caravaggio kill an adversary. The day before, you had visited Caravaggio’s studio. You knew of two of his completed masterpieces, which you admire greatly. And in
Demands of Justice and Demands of Art — Caravaggio edition Read More »