Every manneeds the freedom of other men,in a sense, always wants it, even though he may be a tyrant; the only thing he fails to do is to assume honestlythe consequences of such a wish. Only the freedom of others keeps each one of us from hardeningin the absurdity of facticity. -excerpt, The Ethics…
I took a walk yesterday. A gray day, mid-January with a brisk breeze and thirty degrees. I walked 3rd Street in Geneva, the mind stimulated by visual and tactile sensation, — as I passed by restaurants “coming to life” in early afternoon. Reaching State Street, intending to purchase another cup of coffee from the…
Publius Rutilius Rufus was incorruptible. And what was his reward for this? He was indicted on trumped up charges and driven into exile. Marcus Aurelius was good and decent and fair. And for this? Fate handed him a plague and floods…and then his best friend attempted a coup. And how do modern historians recognize…
Today I upgraded the theme software for this blog. I paid a nominal amount for some added features. Upon activating the new theme, I discovered the image for my header vanished. The gods or demons within what-we-have-created, the world wide web, again manifested their presence. Magic or superstition is that feeling of “mystery” in…
The discussion touching on Platonic idealism was fascinating. Who is not captivated by an ideal, gleaming in transparent purity? I certainly am. Would I kill for an ideal? Or to put it more plainly would I commit murder to advance an ideal? I probably would, as many have. I am admittedly a standard issue…
I just finished reading The Phaedo written by Plato. The Phaedo, is a story that receives its title from the name of a friend of Socrates who is observer and auditor of the last hours of Socrates’ life. The last hours are spent in philosophical exchange with a circle of friends. Plato, a playwright…
A confession: Writing about music, rock and roll in particular comes easily. That is, by comparison finding the words to describe other topics; the more abstract the topic, the more difficult. To find the exact word, that’s the key. This tune by Led Zeppelin pierced “to the heart” as I drove to Starbucks this…
Sunday, and freezing mist has covered pavement with a quarter inch of ice. I will be satisfied with the cup of coffee from the kitchen. The short drive to the Starbucks on 3rd and State in Geneva would be a risk. I appreciate the hot rich astringent cup of Starbucks coffee, and anticipate the…
Never did I think that I’d feature music by a heavy metal band. The genre does not inspire me, and perhaps that is a generational thing. My father’s generation thought the performances of Elvis were disturbing, beyond the bounds of the conventions of popular music. Perhaps a form of music emanates from the zeitgeist,…
The universe is just there; that’s the only way one can view it and remain master of one’s senses. The universe neither threatens nor promises. It holds things beyond our sway: the fall of a meteor, growing old and dying. These are the realities of the universe and they must be faced regardless of…
