ok so I wouldn't say Plato is my favourite philosopher in the way that means I agree with him. But I do have him tattooed on my leg because he was such a formative part of my philosophical life. His Symposium is by farrrr my favourite of his (probably followed by the Phaedrus). The Republic is obviously the classic but it is DENSE and not the most fun at times. Symposium is just pure fun the whole time, and a very quick read! The translation I've attached is the best translation according to my old Plato lecturer who was a Plato specialist who I'd trust with my life.
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I have two philosophy degrees so I guess this isnāt that niche for that area. But I have a Plato tattoo. Platoās Symposium (the Rowe translation) is my favourite of his works, closely followed by the Phaedrus. Heās so silly and weird and gay and i like that. My masters thesis was a metaphilosophical look at why Plato and Simone de Beauvoir wrote fiction - which was pretty stupid tbh because it meant my research material was like a million books and I cannot read a million books. We may blame Plato for the evil that is Western Analytic philosophy, but thatās so funny to me when he was essentially writing little plays about his teacher and friends. If youāve only attempted The Republic and were like what the fuck, I donāt blame you. Most of his dialogues are really short, that one was just him trying to write a treaties or whatever, bless.
Apr 5, 2024
I love the cave allegory ngl
Plato:Ā Plato proposed that the only true knowledge involves rational thought, which is ultimately sublimated into intuitive and mystical knowledge of the good. According to Plato, at the end of this journey lies an enlightenment experience, where the soul grasps the metaphysical source of the universe all at once, dispelling all ignorance and attaining immortal wisdom. Since the soul is immortal and has been born many times over before its present life, it has already seen many things, both in this world and in the worlds beyond this one. On the other hand, Plato posited that not everyone is capable of mounting this ladder of knowledge to mystical transcendence. They have appetites that make them more fit to be workers and slaves, while those who are dominated by honor and courage are more fit to be soldiers and police.
May 19, 2024
i know philosophy is always seen as pretentious and boring, and some of it is, but we are SO privileged to have access to a written history dating back millennia of the pursuit of understanding humanity. the fact that we have wanted to understand what it means to be human so badly that we have been writing about our theories since the moment we created written language is a philosophy in and of itself. find what studies of thought you relate to the most! marxism, nihilism, absurdism, existentialism, feminism, whatever! find the beauty in thought!
philosophy does not always have to be 800 page books of some old dead white guys dense musings. plenty of novels cover philosophical issues, like piranesi by suzanna clark. reading philosophy, in my experience, helps expand your empathy and understanding of the human condition while helping you discover yourself as well. read with purpose! it's a magical thing.
please share your favorite philosophical texts you've read with me :) i'm always looking for new ones <3
Jan 8, 2025
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5d ago
I used to be envious of people who had āMySpace friendsā or ātumblr friendsā. Now I have PI.FYI friends. Thank you capyboppy for your lovely letter and this illustration of a capybara and a mouse with fruit on our heads, it made me weirdly emotional ā¤ļø
Jun 11, 2024
Apr 5, 2024