The Wes Cecil Podcast

So much for Phaedrus. Plato quickly moves to present core elements of his world view while undercutting the simple love for the gods. Again, everything is political, philosophical and very critical of his society all at the same time. Notice all of the now common concepts that Plato is sneaking in under the guise of a simple set of hymns to praise the gods. What could be wrong with that??Sign-up for Wes’s PATREON to get your questions answered by Wes!Plus, gain access to course materials, reading lists, bonus lectures, and Wes’s weekly diaries from France. Only $2 / month.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore the intriguing contrast between fear and joy in shaping our lives. Discover how fear has historically been a tool for control and how unlearning it can lead to a more fulfilling existence. Wes delves into the essence of joy, distinguishing it from fleeting happiness, and emphasizes the importance of embracing internal pleasures. He critiques societal values that prioritize grit over joy, urging listeners to model joy for future generations. Ultimately, he advocates for rationally assessing fears to choose joy and enhance overall well-being.

The first speech comes from Phaedrus. He is sincere and well intentioned but delivers a seemingly very limited take on the nature of Love. As ever, there is a level of philosophy, politics and religious argumentation going on that is not that obvious on the surface.Sign-up for Wes’s PATREON to get your questions answered by Wes!Plus, gain access to course materials, reading lists, peer discussions, bonus lectures, and Wes’s weekly diaries from France. Only $2 / month.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore the battle between play and work in our lives as Wes challenges the notion of 'I have to' versus 'I will.' He argues that much of what we deem labor should instead be seen as play, transforming our experiences. Delve into the concept of the slave mentality in workplaces, illustrated through the Walmart example, and consider practical strategies to reclaim joy in our work. Witness how reframing tasks can lead to creativity, inspired by figures like Miles Davis and Picasso, and learn to approach job hunting as a mutual interview.

We reach the text itself. Hopefully I clarify why there is this strange framing element to the Symposium and the degree to which many of the seemingly odd asides and quotes are actually core to Plato’s general assault on the mytho-poetic concepts of Hellenistic society.Sign-up for Wes’s PATREON to get your questions answered by Wes!Plus, gain access to course materials, reading lists, bonus lectures, and Wes’s weekly diaries from France. Only $2 / month.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well, forgot to mention that both the Reformation and the Enlightenment were heavily influenced by Platonic thought(!). As a test, if you’ve ever thought that SCIENCE is THE path to the TRUTH; congratulations, you’re a Neoplatonist.Sign-up for Wes’s PATREON to get your questions answered by Wes!Plus, gain access to course materials, reading lists, bonus lectures, and Wes’s weekly diaries from France. Only $2 / month.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore the concept of mental enslavement despite living in an era of freedom. Delve into the historical roots of slavery and how they persist in modern mindsets and institutions. Discover the impact of economic systems on perceptions of value and the importance of individual judgment over societal norms. Wes challenges common phrases that denote lack of choice, urging listeners to reclaim their agency. Plus, a critique of diet culture and education reveals deeper societal pressures. Embrace the idea that you are the measure of your worth!

Two main points in this introduction:First, Plato is in deadly earnest in these dialogues trying to work out how his society and his class were crushed in a war and subject to tyranny and what, if anything, could be done. Second, Plato has had an unbelievable impact on our conception of the world through his influence on Christianity. Further, as we will explore in later episodes, his thinking is also foundational to the Enlightenment and Humanism - two intellectual movements that undercut the power of Christianity in Western thought while, oddly, increasing the influence of the already overwhelming power of Platonic thought. In sum, Plato reigns supreme.Sign-up for Wes’s PATREON to get your questions answered by Wes!Plus, gain access to course materials, reading lists, bonus lectures, and Wes’s weekly diaries from France. Only $2 / month.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just a follow up to discuss the forces that shape the global real estate market and how our standard response - supply and demand - reveals the degree to which our minds are captured by a wild oversimplification of economic forces and the benighted nature of our collective imaginations faced with economic challenges.Sign-up for Wes’s PATREON to get your questions answered by Wes! Plus, gain access to course materials, reading lists, bonus lectures, and Wes’s weekly diaries from France. Only $2 / month.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover the tension between individualism and community as isolation grows in modern life. Explore the evolution of communal living and the trade-offs between freedom and security. Unpack the impact of Enlightenment thinking on personal liberties, and how student loan debt reveals systemic issues. Wes advocates for voluntary, love-based communities and suggests innovative solutions like a borrower cooperative. He highlights the connection between loneliness and health, urging listeners to foster meaningful relationships for mutual care.