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Nautikos
I very much like your categorical statement that while we have language, language has us. That has some truth in it. But the German philosopher you referenced for that, Martin Heidegger, was a member of the Nazi Party from 1933-1946. So if he had a bit of wisdom, he was also a great fool, or worse, not unlike Socrates.
I can answer the first of your 'good questions', why was 'critical thought' current in the Athens of Socrates' day?' Because Athens was the first democracy in history that I know of. Democracy allows critical thinkers to flourish, without banning or punishing them, until they go to an absurd extreme and call undo attention to themselves, like Socrates did.
posted by
GoldenMean
on January 26, 2016 at 2:31 AM
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Nautikos
Another excellent 'thinking' series going....and one I find ever so much more interesting than those other subjects! LOL! At one point...not really all that long ago....we were many cultures, many relilgions...but somewhat separated geographically and informationally (is that a word?). Seemingly light years forward, we are all these cultures/religions intermingled like Mexican Jumping Beans on a planet that is too rapidly spinning with technology out of control of adults and in the control of children who grew up playing computer games. Is it any wonder we are a people in a world suffering whiplash and travel sickness?
posted by
Krisles
on January 24, 2016 at 11:37 PM
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Many aging cultures do seem to implode. I see why you "killed" Socrates' metaphorical parents. Concrete thought is different from abstract thought. :) I often have a thought, then language, on a good day!
posted by
Sea_Gypsy
on January 24, 2016 at 9:12 PM
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I see where you are going and where you believe we have gone. It appears you have a collective audiance. Have a good day.
posted by
Justi
on January 24, 2016 at 2:30 PM
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Very interesting stuff.
I think that those who "...welcome what they find upon inspection..." are all found on my FaceBook site, and they make me so tired. Yes, I feel that they must be exibiting a "...suicidal tendency..." in an aging culture, though I'm sure they wouldn't agree with that.
posted by
TAPS.
on January 24, 2016 at 12:29 PM
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That is correct. We are all the product of our culture, and a great point about metaphorical parents.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on January 24, 2016 at 11:55 AM
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Continuing to be a really thought provoking post and if we were in a think tank situation we would be enjoying very lively debate by now. Please don't throw the baby out with the bath water though!
posted by
Kabu
on January 24, 2016 at 11:51 AM
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