Comments on: The First Collectivist http://opinion-forum.com/index/2009/11/the-first-collectivist/ A Forum for Opinions on News, Politics, and Life Wed, 16 May 2012 14:40:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Tom http://opinion-forum.com/index/2009/11/the-first-collectivist/comment-page-1/#comment-9913 Tom Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:34:10 +0000 http://opinion-forum.com/index/?p=8053#comment-9913 Great work, Brianna! Reflections of similar kinds of thinking can be found among extremists of both left and right, including in states ruled by them. Part of Plato's thinking was undoubtedly influenced by the chaos of the Athenian form of democracy, which was for the most part and at most times little more than mob rule. In fact, that highly flawed democracy condemned Socrates to death, along with lots of other significant political and military leaders who displeased the mob. Reading this kind of thing always gives me a small shiver. Once in a graduate independent study seminar, I designed for myself a project consisting of reading Plato (mainly <em>The Republic</em>), Aristotle (mainly <em>Politics</em>), Thucydides, and Herodotus. The idea was to meld those sources, along with others, into a paper dealing with the politics and history of the era, with emphasis on a critique of Athenian democracy. I was given a lot of rope, and I hung myself. The paper turned out to be at least twice as long as I had envisioned, and it took a huge amount of time. The paper was well-received, but I always thought that was charity, or at least a reluctance on the part of the professors to admit that it confused them as much as it did the hapless author. Great work, Brianna! Reflections of similar kinds of thinking can be found among extremists of both left and right, including in states ruled by them. Part of Plato’s thinking was undoubtedly influenced by the chaos of the Athenian form of democracy, which was for the most part and at most times little more than mob rule. In fact, that highly flawed democracy condemned Socrates to death, along with lots of other significant political and military leaders who displeased the mob.

Reading this kind of thing always gives me a small shiver. Once in a graduate independent study seminar, I designed for myself a project consisting of reading Plato (mainly The Republic), Aristotle (mainly Politics), Thucydides, and Herodotus. The idea was to meld those sources, along with others, into a paper dealing with the politics and history of the era, with emphasis on a critique of Athenian democracy. I was given a lot of rope, and I hung myself. The paper turned out to be at least twice as long as I had envisioned, and it took a huge amount of time. The paper was well-received, but I always thought that was charity, or at least a reluctance on the part of the professors to admit that it confused them as much as it did the hapless author.

]]> By: Harvey http://opinion-forum.com/index/2009/11/the-first-collectivist/comment-page-1/#comment-9890 Harvey Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:57:11 +0000 http://opinion-forum.com/index/?p=8053#comment-9890 Brianna, You're observations are priceless! The similarities between the thought process in Plato's writing and much of the thought process in 20th and 21st Century America are absolutely spooky! My bad for being such a slacker when it comes to studying history and the old philosophers. Brianna,

You’re observations are priceless! The similarities between the thought process in Plato’s writing and much of the thought process in 20th and 21st Century America are absolutely spooky!

My bad for being such a slacker when it comes to studying history and the old philosophers.

]]> By: larry http://opinion-forum.com/index/2009/11/the-first-collectivist/comment-page-1/#comment-9834 larry Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:14:40 +0000 http://opinion-forum.com/index/?p=8053#comment-9834 Briana I do indeed see much of what you mentioned in our society today A lot of the same went on years ago. People weren't quite as open about disrespecting others and lying about everything for personal gain. If man could decide between right or wrong, there are good things, as stated in your last paragraph, that could come from such an awakening. I've argued with some here regarding the many possible scenarios we could find in Heaven if it does, as I believe, exist. Many of the things you (and I) see as objectionale will most likely not be such a problem if we do earn a reward of immortality and everything furnished. Free food, housing and everything else plus everyone gets the same rewards. Sounds like socialism but is it? Briana
I do indeed see much of what you mentioned in our society today
A lot of the same went on years ago. People weren’t quite as open about disrespecting others and lying about everything for personal gain. If man could decide between right or wrong, there are good things, as stated in your last paragraph, that could come from such an awakening.

I’ve argued with some here regarding the many possible scenarios we could find in Heaven if it does, as I believe, exist. Many of the things you (and I) see as objectionale will most likely not be such a problem if we do earn a reward of immortality and everything furnished. Free food, housing and everything else plus everyone gets the same rewards. Sounds like socialism but is it?

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