I did suggest your unwillingness to explain why Socrates pretended to be ignorant was less than valorous. — Valentinus
You may have suggested this, but I had no idea why as I had never claimed that "Socrates pretended to be ignorant". This has never been my interpretation of Socrates! — Apollodorus
Anyway, this is quite irrelevant. People agree on some issues and disagree on others, and that is that. — Apollodorus
But in Platonism, the goal is what? Seeing God, the One? It seems rather intangible, in comparison to what Early Buddhism promises. — baker
I never claimed you claimed it. Your view amounts to assuming that to be the case when you do claim Socrates knew the truth. — Valentinus
My position is simply that he is not as ignorant as some claim he is. — Apollodorus
The matter I brought up bears no relationship to any claim of ignorance than that made by Socrates himself. — Valentinus
If Socrates' statements are your problem, then I'm afraid you will have to discuss that with him. I can't help you there. — Apollodorus
Is that to say that your many attempts to say what is being said can be struck from the record? — Valentinus
The whole discussion started when others denied some sections of the text or attempted to read things into the text that are not there. — Apollodorus
I thought to myself, “I am wiser than this man; for neither of us really knows anything fine and good, but this man thinks he knows something when he does not, whereas I, as I do not know anything, do not think I do either. I seem, then, in just this little thing to be wiser than this man at any rate, that what I do not know I do not think I know either" (Apology 21d)
The importance of the statement involves the distinction between opinion and knowledge, as demonstrated throughout the dialogues. — Valentinus
I am arguing for a distinction to be recognized — Valentinus
How was I to know that this is what you were arguing??? — Apollodorus
Don't worry, I will follow your example :grin: — Apollodorus
Think in terms of surviving in the modern economy and society at large. Here, critical thinking is mostly a hindrance, and goodness (as understood in humanism) is considered naive.
An argument can be made that a person is far better off in life if they think in superficial slogans, soundbites, black and white terms. — baker
Does anyone think the most astute Platonists of these times, being Islamic clerics and their Muslim followers are living an examined life in accordance to Islam? — Shawn
This is vague.Correct. However, "goodness" in the Platonic sense means being good to others and to yourself in every respect. — Apollodorus
By modern standards, what would Plato be, in terms of socioeconomic theory? Probably not a socialist, but a capitalist. Can we be reasonably sure that he wouldn't support Trump? Or Hitler? Remember, in ancient Greece, they practiced selective infanticide; unfit or unwanted babies were removed from society. And that was deemed good.People need to learn how to integrate philosophy with everyday life. It may not always be easy, but if philosophical reasoning and contemplation result in greater clarity of mind, power of discernment, better understanding of others, greater awareness of environmental issues, etc., then it can't be a bad thing.
However, "goodness" in the Platonic sense means being good to others and to yourself in every respect. — Apollodorus
Do as I suggested and we can engage in the merits on anything you want. Until then, your a fascist, racists, inconsiderate, disrespectful, selfish person. — James Riley
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