Streaming Consciousness
Stoic Philosopher-Slave
We met late in the day to discuss Stoicism, that is, the sayings of Epictetus, an excerpt from his “Manual.” Nine of us were around the table, a sell-out crowd. The discussion was spirited, wide ranging. There is no respite from the issues of our time, pressing upon us. Epictetus, a slave, belonged to Epaphroditus a member of Nero’s imperial guard. Epictetus, rumored to be lame from birth, was highly educated, adept to teach Stoic philosophy. I tried to imagine a society sophisticated for its time, great disparity between the affluent ruling class, with vast numbers of poor, or better put, impoverished men, women and children who were slaves. The labor source of Rome’s empire before the industrial age 17 centuries later, was human and animal muscle, — multitudes of slaves. Slavery was the norm, the accepted status quo. I asked myself what manner of privilege and wealth were brought to bear to educate a single young male, a gifted slave…
What redirection of wealth and purpose would be necessary to better educate the majority of semi-literate American’s — to live more mindfully, becoming adept to think critically, to responsibly discharge the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship?
One Less Warship
The Russian missile cruiser, Moskva, struck by Ukrainian anti-ship missiles, sank. The flagship of the Black Sea fleet now rests on the bottom of the Baltic sea. Even though the Russians deny that Ukraine struck their cruiser, I have no doubt that some form of pay-back is in store. This war is sure to become much worse. Is “worse” even possible from the viewpoint of Ukraine?
April 15th
April 15th, a Friday is “tax day.” This day also happens to be Good Friday.
The Ace
I learned of Ernst Udet by chance. He was the second highest scoring Ace for Germany in WWI, with 62 victories. Udet survived the war, the Red Baron did not. This is said about Udet:
After several rejections, he entered military service on August 21, 1914, as a motorcyclist. He applied for flying duties, but was rejected again, so he took flying lessons at his own expense. He gained his first air victory 18 March 1916 when he attacked 22 hostile aircraft from a lone Fokker D-III. He was one of the first pilots to be saved by a parachute, though it didn’t open until 250 feet above the ground.
Udet’s story captured my imagination when I learned of the slogan which he had lettered on the tail of the aircraft which he flew: Du Doch Nicht !!. Translated the phrase means, And Not You Either! Certainly this was not meant as a compliment. My discovery of individuals such as Epictetus and Ernst Udet inspire me to understand the human spirit is able to grasp life with great elan, living to the full with self-possession, with agency.
So Why?
So why do we call this Friday good? The poet T. S. Eliot posed that question. No single correct, definitive answer can be given. You must answer for yourself. I can only answer for myself. The answer is suspended in the plenum, in the space filled with the ambiguity of good and evil, — that is the neighborhood where each of us lives.
