Before I start with the ideas of Socrates, I need to discuss the ideas of his primary opponents. As the power of Athens spread, and Athenian ideas flowed out while the wealth of imperial subjects flowed in (voluntarily or not), the ability engage in persuasion gained in importance. As something of a democracy, the ability to persuade Athenian juries and assemblies of the benefits of […]
The Sages
A lot of cultures in the world have had “Seven Wise Men” who supposedly taught the early people, there, basic lessons upon which they built civilizations. The Greeks were no different and, as with many members of the other cultures, they argued about whose names should appear on the list. Of the all the different suggestions made, four names seem pretty universal, so I’ll stick […]
The Wellspring
Years ago, even before I went to college, I stumbled upon the notion of cultural “hearths.” The term refers to the places where a particular idea – such as a religion, or idea, or type of art, or some sort of technology – originated. From that “hearth,” the religion or idea or art or whatever spread to other areas, adopted more or less successfully by […]
What’s it all about?
Welcome to Downtown Discourses, a blog dedicated to a world-view based on the application of reason. I want to create a safe place to discuss history, science, philosophy, technology, art, travel and, yes, politics and world events. I also intend for this site to act as a means by which I discuss how I formed my own perspectives about the world, and the special role […]