Theo’s Philosophy – more Plato

Another work which I find enjoyable by Plato, is Symposium, where Socrates is invited to a night of drinking with the leading minds of Athens. Literary devices are used well in this short work such as Plato’s use of stories told within stories (the story of the party was told second hand by a follower of Socrates who had been told about it second hand from someone else). The party decides to amuse themselves by praising love which gives Plato the opportunity to make his characters give pretty speeches or alternatively to make a complete ass out of themselves. One of Socrates’ previous lovers drops in and causes some trouble. The star of the show remains of course Socrates whose eccentricities, arrogance and heroic virtues are on full display as well as his philosophical skill as he gives the final word (or so he thinks) on Love at the climax of the drinking party.

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While we are still developing this blog you can add comments by responding to posts or by emailing your ‘post’ to me for adding.

Magda

Theo’s philosopy – More Plato

The Republic is the work that pops up in people’s minds when they think about Plato. Take my advice and don’t start with it. The protagonist in Plato’s writings is a rather strange character called Socrates who was Plato’s teacher. This Socrates can be infuriating, often engaging in dialogues with innocent passersby, only to systematically (sometimes well, sometimes it must be said with rather dubious arguments) show that what the person thought they know they really didn’t. His mission, to show man how ignorant he is, can often make the reader uninterested in Socrates. However Plato’s works which deal with the trial and the events surrounding the trial of Socrates obtain a dramatic element which makes the reader more engaged and in my opinion the concepts better articulated. Plato’s books the Euthyphro, Apology, Crito (my favorite) and Phaedo are all relatively short and have been compiled together under the title The Last Days of Socrates. It is when faced with death that we can relate with the heroic Character of Socrates and his mission to live what he saw as the good life.

Theo’s philosophy – Socplatotle

(continued from previous blog)

What people usually think of first when you mention philosophy are the three giants of Classical Greek thought; Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Aristotle’s writings are incredibly important in the development of thought in the western and Islamic worlds but unfortunately his writing style is quite dry. He has been described as ‘the worlds first dull professor’. Socrates as far as we know never wrote a word, so that leaves only Plato.

Interested in Socrates, Plato and Aristotal check out their fansite at http://scoppioingola.org/philos/

Theo’s Philosophy – Plato

Readable philosophy classics part one – Plato, By Theo

Philosophical works have acquired a reputation for being obscure and difficult to read. I imagine that this came about because people who were interested in reading philosophy would ask a friend who had studied philosophy what their favorite text was. This was a supremely silly thing to do. Their friend probably had a glint in their eye when they replied with something like “Heidegger’s Being and Time is a pretty remarkable book”. Why the friend said this I do not know, perhaps they found it amusing to thrust Heidegger, one of the most unreadable philosophers ever, onto an unsuspecting victim.

I am here to write about some philosophers who could put two sentences together and some texts that are readable and you never know, you might even find them enjoyable. It will be presented in small edible chunks each day or two.

If you are interested in an introduction to philosophy classics try listening to exerts from Nigel Warburton’s book, Philosophy: the Classics at www.philclassics.libsyn.com

Covers so bad…Cry for tomorrow by Bob Aylott

True life drama of forbidden love in terror city. Their love feeds on a happier tomorrow. But the brutal vengeance of the IRA sometimes cannot wait….

We love: the blue eye shadow, the tomato sauce effect and the brutal soldier.

This book is for sale at JimmyD’s Bookshop – $4.00

Have your two cents worth…

JimmyD’s blog was created for our readers to talk about books and reading. We want your reviews, comments on authors and comments about other peoples posts. What do you think about being a reader who lives in the Blue Mountains? in Springwood? Where do you get your coffee or chai to enjoy while you read? What’s the worst book cover you have ever seen? Tell us and lets have a bit of fun.

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Food glorious food -Stephanie Alexander

Don’t you love food books with great pictures of mouth watering plates of food? This one looks at food from different regions in Australia and recipes to go with some of the local ingredients. It has a some really simple recipes which I’m going to try. I like the sound of the Beer cake. It’s made with a simple almost rock cake dough but with beer in it, loaded with mixed fruit and topped with streusel. Yum, I feel like going home and making it right now. Will report on how it goes.

Magda

This book is for sale at JimmyD’s Bookshop

Classic Aussie Crime – Arthur Upfield

If you’ve ever travelled or lived in the real Australian outback you will really enjoy Arthur Upfield’s depictions of the landscape and its climate, as well as his descriptions of the characters and language of the era. It’s a real slice of our history in a crime novel format.

Upfield created Detective Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte (Bony) from the Queensland Police. He was in 29 novels, mostly set in the Australian outback. The books were turned into a popular television series in the 1970′s.

You may have seen the ABC drama recently called 3 Acts of Murder, based on a true crime story. Arthur Upfield had written a book called The sands of Windee, that was used as inspiration for a real life murder.

There are plenty of websites where you can find out more about him. Here’s just one.

http://www.collectingbooksandmagazines.com/upfield.html

Magda

This book is for sale at JimmyDs Bookshop for $10.00.

Covers so bad…..Soma by Charles Platt

Imprisoned on Chthon, … Aton was forced by his captors into a training program calculated to turn him into the ultimate tool of unreasoning destruction. Published by Grafton Books, 1988. Front cover illustration is by Bruno Elletori.

We love: the broad blade, the discreet handling of the beheaded body and the scream.

Comment:
“The pose of the man replicates the pose of an Ancient Greek relief sculpture, that of Perseus slaying the Gorgon…a delicious allusion!

I love your “Covers so bad, we love them!” section…as I said, I thought it might be interesting to turn some of the covers into blank gift cards by sticking the front cover “wholus bolus” onto a folded piece of card the same size as the cover. They did this at “Sapho’s Books” in Glebe (my old haunt!). To the best of my knowledge, the sale of said cards is still going strong…I think you and your staff share the knowledge, vibrancy and enthusiasm for books, readers and litterature that the great Katerina Cosgrove once imbued to Sapho’s Books…”