RoR: Forum

I really like this series it’s like an Intro to Pre-Socratic Philosophy class for free. Way to go Linz!

Post 1

Wednesday, October 19, 2005 - 4:25pm

Yes, keep them coming, Linz. The history of philosophy is not something I've given much attention to even though I know of it's importance in the cultural war. I very much appreciate the education.

Post 2

Wednesday, October 19, 2005 - 4:34pm

This is a very charming little series on the history of philosophy. Once it is complete, I suggest a book. If Sophie's World can be a success, I think this can too.

Michael

Post 3

Wednesday, October 19, 2005 - 6:08pm

I've already said it'll be a book. Pay attention! :-)

Thanks, you three, for the words of appreciation!

Post 4

Wednesday, October 19, 2005 - 7:47pm

Very entertaining, though it had my mind spinning a little bit. I was hearing this in my head as a Monty Python skit...

“How, then, can what is be going to be in the future? Or how could it come into being? If it came into being, it is not; nor is it if it is going to be in the future. Thus is becoming extinguished and passing away not to be heard of.”

(I hear John Cleese reading that, and I think the dead parrot skit, "It has ceased to BE!")

Next week..." THE PYTHAGOREANS!" Sounds like a Monty Python skit to be! :D

(Edited by Joe Maurone
on 10/19, 7:49pm)

(Edited by Joe Maurone
on 10/19, 8:44pm)

Post 5

Wednesday, October 19, 2005 - 7:58pm

Linz,

Well, you did say you were sure it would be a book in a post. Just reinforcing.

ahem...

Anyway,

Joe,

You reminded me of something parallel to this. In Brazil, there is a movie about a gangster called Boca de Ouro (Gold Mouth), where one of my favorite ontological lines of all time concerning life (death) was said.

Someone asked where a person was. After a long pause, a very old man said slowly,

("O falecido morreu!")
"The dead man passed away!"

Michael

Post 6

Wednesday, October 19, 2005 - 8:46pm

     I like your take on their views.

     A&P (no, not the food-store) should be quite interesting.

     Will you be going as far as Descartes ("I think I really should be" [or something like that])?

LLAP
J:D

Post 7

Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 12:32am

Linz,

Great essay. Few people realize how ancient the worst philosophical errors really are.

One technical quibble. Quoting a modern translation of Parmenides, "One path only is left for us to speak of—namely, that It is" you write: "Note the capital 'I.'" But upper vs. lower-case characters were first introduced by the Romans, centuries after Parmenides. Mid-sentence capitals for definitives, the usage you point to, first appeared in the late Middle Ages. The capital I is the translator's work, although probably reflecting an accurate understanding of Parmenides' intention.

But that's very minor. Great work, and I am looking forward to reading more.

Post 8

Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 1:04am

The capital I is the translator's work, although probably reflecting an accurate understanding of Parmenides' intention.

Believe me, I do realise that. :-)

Post 9

Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 9:17am

Linz,

Thanks for the history lesson. I like history, but this is an area I don't know much about. I hope you'll write more in this vein, like those bean-worshipping Pythagoreans you promise.

Andy

Post 10

Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 5:36pm

Regarding your theme of flux in this piece: I noticed that in your Tribute to Joe Rowlands, you point out this as a recurring theme of his writing.

" Joe laid out a theme that has come to be something of a theme song for him: the static/dynamic distinction. Arguing that there’s far more to life than simply not being dead (the “static” view), Joe said:

The dynamic view of life holds that life is a process, not a state. Ayn Rand said, "Life is a process of self-sustaining and self-generated action." Notice the term 'process.' It's a "process of self-sustaining and self-generated action."

Is this just coincidence, or is this going to be a theme developed in depth here on SOLO?

Post 11

Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 5:43pm