Ethan E > Recent Status Updates

Book 2 Ch.4-6 Doing just and moderate things doesn’t make one such; Arts and virtues different, virtue requires knowledge of action; one becomes just from doing just things, moderate the same way. Passions, capacities, characteristics make up soul. Virtues and vices are separate from passions. They are also not capacities, but characteristics. Every act has deficiency, median, and excess. Some things have neither.

The gods hold a meeting, with a divide between those supporting either the Achaeans or Trojans. Agamemnon showers insults at Odysseus, he then defused by stating that Odysseus should not be baited to rage by him and apologizes. Powerful depictions of combat such as Odysseus throwing a spear through a man’s temple, and the goddesses aiding both sides. Ajax is unveiled as a powerful foe as combat escalates.

(Book 3) The two forces meet in a large field, With their massive formations shaking the earth. Menelaus and Paris are set to battle to decide which side gets Helena, whose kidnapping by Paris began the war. An agreement with sacrifice is made upon the gods. Paris is nearly killed but is saved by Aphrodite, sent to his room and makes love to Helena. The Achaeans felt the agreement is violated; conflict is ignited.

(Book 2) Agamemnon receives a deceptive dream from Zeus ordering him to attack, an insubordinate, Thersites, lashes out at his commanders and is then beaten by Odysseus with a staff. Vast description of commanders and forces of Achaeans as well as Troy. Odysseus provides a powerful motivating speech and rallies the forces, preparing them to attack a Trojan city, while the Trojans head out to meet the oncoming attack.

Book 2 Ch.1-3 Virtue intellectual and moral, comes from teaching and habit respectively. Moral virtues not entirely from nature. Nature makes one receptive but habit completes it. Virtues come from engaging in activities. Excess and over moderation problem, too much fear a coward; too little, reckless. Moral virtues hold pleasures and pains at core. Must learn of necessary pleasures and pains in childhood. Licentious

An intriguing beginning as the first ancient classic I have begun to read. Book 1: The daughter of a powerful priest is captured by the Achaeans, but is then returned due to Apollo, sparking animosity and a powerful argument between Achilles and his superior, Agamemnon. Achilles prays to his mother, Thetis, who relays to Zeus and comes to an agreement to aid Achilles. This causes issue with Hera, but Zeus dominates.

Book 1, concepts covered included happiness (long term, stable) as the ultimate end, with societal/communal happiness being superior to personal. Sciences such as medicine contribute a part to a whole, and are virtuous in performing at their best. Politics is the master science, affecting all the rest. Lovers of what is noble need little else, momentary blessings cannot evaluate a life’s happiness. Similar covered

Introduction and background of Aristotle and his works, contextualizing ethics (this book) and politics as two interconnected works which are likely the most reliable and most direct from the philosopher. Translators discuss the attack on classic philosophy and the difference in modern perspective while advocating for an open mind. Context of translation methodology also provided.

Insight into the ideal of disintegration and the problems with pure meritocracy wherein pride and individualism commands. “Winners and losers” instead of community. Offering solutions of integrating social classes such as community obligations. Details also discussed on CRT and intersectionalism and the problems these ideals create meanwhile the working class of separate races face the same problems.

Deneen discusses "Aristopopulism" and provides his postliberal approach to governance. This includes pressure from the populous unto the elites, and reforming elites into proper aristocrats supporting the common good. Additional concepts included: education reform, promotion of Christian values, economic protectionism, using government to counterbalance corporations, and promotion of beauty and societal aspiration +.

Analysis into the “Mixed constitution”, and how the demos (common people) optimally preserve culture, heritage, and values. Meanwhile, elites, instead of serving constant ideals of “progress” should instead aid in the preservation of the culture, stability, and continuity, in-line with the demos. Instead of removing the elite class; It is desirable to reform it for a properly balanced society.

Fascinating outlook into the liberal overstatement of expertise; Wherein academia focuses on specified research, meanwhile “experts” know little about adjacent studies, including within their own institutions. Additional insights on philosophical concepts such as from Aristotle about the importance of broad common sense input in politics, and COVID’s display of issues which come from over reliance on expertise.

Insights into Marxism and how conservatism and Marxism ask similar questions in opposition to liberalism, but arrive at vastly different conclusions. Then, the author discusses how “new” conservatism (referred to as populism or nationalism often) holds origins in ancient tradition, including past British conservatism. Additionally, we observe the ideal of common-good conservatism (family, country, values).

Very intriguing thus far, with topics such as the origins of liberalism, and the introduction of more modern “progressive” liberalism and “classical” liberalism (with classical often matching the description of modern conservatism), as well as notable details regarding the political and social dynamics of working class populists and elites. Furthermore, it launches into a new path forward for conservatism.