Its too bad so few people take the time to meditate on anything anymore. Everyone 'knows' there's no such things as justice, and the only real pleasure comes from distraction and entertainment. At least that's the way it seems.
Your description of Plato's conclusions do not sound like rational arguments - they sound like a belief system. Plato believes justice will result in happy people. Bill Gates believes getting filthy rich makes him happy. Does Plato have valid logic that shows objectively that he is right and Bill Gates is wrong, or are his "conclusions" merely opinions?
@endgammer I do not know whether Bill Gates believe getting filthy rich makes him happy - but that's not the point. Actually, from what I know of him, I suspect that "winning" makes him happy. However I posited that whatever it is that makes him happy, it's just one guys opinion ... and Plato was just another guy with an opinion. Or is there an actual rational argument that comes to Plato's conclusion, that he is, in some objective sense "right" and my Bill Gate's character "wrong"?
Plato definitely saw the pursuit of justice as a supremely rational endeavor. To be sure, Plato was a bit of an ascetic, meaning that he did not regard highly the pursuit of pleasure for its own sake. Plato believed that justice or harmony would result in an overall state of contentment. For example, if you eat too much, you may feel intense pleasure temporarily but then will become sick or obese in the long term. Therefore, temperance (moderation) is the best path for sustained happiness.
thanks for this series. I apologize in advance if it fails to make sense. Did Plato view the pursuit of 'justice' as rational? should we pursue 'justice' because it is a rational course of action? I just I am trying ot understand how plato viewed the relationship between morality and rationality. I think this is important because the subject of motivation becomes key. How would Plato motivate the members of his society to seek the 'just' life without appealing to their wants or needs?
Its too bad so few people take the time to meditate on anything anymore. Everyone 'knows' there's no such things as justice, and the only real pleasure comes from distraction and entertainment. At least that's the way it seems.
philnoll 2 years ago
Your description of Plato's conclusions do not sound like rational arguments - they sound like a belief system. Plato believes justice will result in happy people. Bill Gates believes getting filthy rich makes him happy. Does Plato have valid logic that shows objectively that he is right and Bill Gates is wrong, or are his "conclusions" merely opinions?
postorm 2 years ago
@postorm Does Bill Gates believe geeting filthy rich makes him happy? How do you know this?
endgammer 1 year ago
@endgammer I do not know whether Bill Gates believe getting filthy rich makes him happy - but that's not the point. Actually, from what I know of him, I suspect that "winning" makes him happy. However I posited that whatever it is that makes him happy, it's just one guys opinion ... and Plato was just another guy with an opinion. Or is there an actual rational argument that comes to Plato's conclusion, that he is, in some objective sense "right" and my Bill Gate's character "wrong"?
postorm 1 year ago
Plato definitely saw the pursuit of justice as a supremely rational endeavor. To be sure, Plato was a bit of an ascetic, meaning that he did not regard highly the pursuit of pleasure for its own sake. Plato believed that justice or harmony would result in an overall state of contentment. For example, if you eat too much, you may feel intense pleasure temporarily but then will become sick or obese in the long term. Therefore, temperance (moderation) is the best path for sustained happiness.
wmiller24 3 years ago
thanks for this series. I apologize in advance if it fails to make sense. Did Plato view the pursuit of 'justice' as rational? should we pursue 'justice' because it is a rational course of action? I just I am trying ot understand how plato viewed the relationship between morality and rationality. I think this is important because the subject of motivation becomes key. How would Plato motivate the members of his society to seek the 'just' life without appealing to their wants or needs?
idiley 3 years ago