Join Alex Priou, Associate Professor of Political Philosophy at the University of Austin and author of 'Musings on Plato’s Symposium', as he provides a fresh perspective on Plato's most playful dialogue, The Symposium. They discuss how a relaxed approach can take the stuffiness out of philosophy and highlight the joy of engaging with ancient texts. Priou argues for the importance of meaningful social interactions in philosophical discussions and reflects on the intriguing potential of lost philosophical texts that might offer deeper insights into ancient ideas.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Scholarly Rigor vs. Enjoyment
Alex Priou recounts a story about meeting a classicist at NYU.
The classicist had a 1200-page bibliography on a 150-line poem, highlighting the contrast between scholarly work and pure enjoyment of literature.
insights INSIGHT
The Seductive Nature of Philosophy
Dry scholarly work can sometimes obscure the original spirit of a text, especially in philosophy.
Priou aimed to reflect the seductive nature of philosophy in his writing style, emulating the charm of Socrates in Plato's Symposium.
question_answer ANECDOTE
From Kant to Tweets
Priou compares different philosophical writing styles, from the monumental works of Montesquieu and Kant to the aphorisms of Nietzsche.
He relates this to Twitter threads, observing that short, concentrated thoughts can provoke engagement and deeper thinking.
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Twilight of the Idols, or How to Philosophize with a Hammer, is a collection of aphorisms and essays by Friedrich Nietzsche. It represents a sharp critique of traditional philosophical and religious systems, particularly targeting what he sees as 'idols' or false beliefs. Nietzsche's style is characterized by its provocative and often paradoxical statements, challenging readers to question established norms and values. The work explores themes of morality, truth, and the nature of power, influencing subsequent philosophical and cultural movements. It is considered one of Nietzsche's most accessible and influential works.
The Laws of the Spirit World
Khorshed Bhavnagri
The book explores the concept of seven realms in the spirit world, ranging from what is akin to hell (realms 1-3) to heaven (realms 5-7). It discusses topics such as karma, rebirth, free will, and the nature of good and evil. The author, inspired by messages from her sons who died in a car accident, uses automatic writing to convey the spiritual laws and guide readers on how to lead a spiritual life on Earth and progress towards higher realms after death.
Aristotle's Poetics
Aristotle's Poetics
Aristotle
Seth Benedetti's translation of Plato's Symposium
Seth Benedetti's translation of Plato's Symposium
Seth Benedetti
It’s philosophy’s ultimate dinner party… and you’re invited.
On today’s Classical Wisdom Speaks, Anya is joined by Professor Alex Priou to discuss Plato’s most joyful and playful work, The Symposium.
Discover how taking an unconventional approach to Plato can illuminate both this ancient text and how we live today.
ALEX PRIOU is Associate Professor of Political Philosophy at the University of Austin. He is the author of many books, including 'Musings on Plato’s Symposium', as well as a number of articles on the history of philosophy. He is also the co-host of a philosophy podcast, The New Thinkery. You can listen here: https://thenewthinkery.com/
Hosted by Anya Leonard of Classical Wisdom. To learn more about Classical Wisdom, and sign up for our free newsletter, please go to https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/
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