Robert Matheny > Recent Status Updates

In book 8, Socrates, explores the four types of constitution: Timarchy, oligarchy, democracy, and despotism. He describes how each rises out of its predecessor and the corresponding character of the individual analysis to that type of constitution. He paints with broad brush strokes and doesn’t leave very much room for nuance. Thus, he leaves us no choice, but to agree with him I’m not yet. Sure if I do.

Book seven undertook the manner by which philosophers should be educated. In particular, they should apply themselves to subjects that, in discussing present realities, point toward ultimate reality. For Socrates, these are mathematics, geometry, the study of the third dimension, astronomy, and harmony. They should study as young men, then return at 50 after years engaged in practical employment.

Book 6 discussed why philosophers are uniquely qualified to lead Plato’s republic, and how they might be tested and prepared to do so. It ended with a discussion of the following statement “None will know the just and the beautiful satisfactorily till he knows the good.”

women are positioned within the Republic as having equality with men. Guardians (men and women) hold their marriages and children in common. The “best” among them should be positioned to “marry” and procreate more often than the rest to ensure better offspring (ancient eugenics?) And the idea of the philosopher king was introduced as well as the difference between a true philosopher vs a mere philodox.

So far, this book is very engaging and practical. I’ve already come away with some productivity techniques that I’m applying in my own work.

No now, Socrates, has described the growth of a city interdependent and specialized folks who participate in exchange and protect the city. He then describes how children in this city should be taught so that they are endowed with the appropriate scruples to engage in the life of the community in a mutually beneficial manner…through education about the god described as ultimate good, ineffable, and immutable.

So far we’ve tackle the concepts of justice and injustice. How is it that justice, constrained by virtue, is stronger than injustice with its access to opportunistic advantages? Here, Socrates argues the just man is happier because he is not internally conflicted. Thus, the reward of just is a sort of internal consistency and peace.

I see a lot of myself in this book.

This book has given me insight into the structure and tools of poetry. It’s even given me some interest and guts in trying my own hand at writing poetry.

I’ve been listening to the audiobook. There are a lot of details to track, but overall I’m better understanding the French Revolution.

This book is great! Very accessible and informative. I’m reading it to prep for my L3 WSET course that starts January 9th.

Overall, this book is really interesting. Herodotus tends to wander a bit in is telling, adding tidbits no one was asking for, but many historians find those meanderings valuable. I rally appreciate the historic context that it’s giving me as I am reading Ancient Greek philosophy.