Philosopher Parents, Not Kings

Philosopher Parents, Not Kings

The term ‘philosopher kings’ sticks in the head of students of ancient philosophy. In Plato’s Republic Socrates memorably asserts that “until philosophers take control of a city, there’ll be no respite from evil for either city or citizens…” Plato’s assertion here has...
Facing Discouragement: A Greek Insight

Facing Discouragement: A Greek Insight

Discouragement, or at least its temptation, regularly accompanies intentional living. Even if we do not formulate it explicitly we find ourselves feeling “why do the good things I want have to be so difficult?” It is a consolation to know this is not unique to our...
Coming to Yourself

Coming to Yourself

“I must first know myself, as the Delphian inscription says…” Socrates, in Plato’s Phaedrus “But when he came to himself…” The Prodigal Son Today I received an email from a student. He shared with me a moment of self-discovery. In class he had seen...
Thinking about My Death

Thinking about My Death

The difficulty, my friends, is not in avoiding death, but in avoiding unrighteousness; for that runs faster than death. I am old and move slowly, and the slower runner has overtaken me. Socrates, in Plato’s Apology Yesterday I was walking back to the house alone after...

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