Personally, I think Socrates (Plato) was an idiot. The cave?? The Republic?? Ahhh!
2007-03-08 06:38:43 · 19 answers · asked by trueblue88 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Clearly, you are the true master of intellect.
2007-03-08 06:41:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Obviously they are still printed because some people think there is still merit in them.
But I know of very few philosophers who would be greatly upset if you didn't find any merit in their work... for example, Socrates argued more than anyone that his only real wisdom was being aware of how little he really knew.
The world is made of different people, and they are each more suited to some pursuits than others. Since this is so, it is natural for some to be fond of what others despise. As the saying goes, "one man's bread is another man's poison".
If I may make only one suggestion, however, it would be to be tolerant of those who do like those works that you don't care for, if not the works themselves. Few would claim to be universally successful at everything; sometimes a different approach is called for. And when bread fails, maybe it's time to start looking for some poison...
2007-03-08 15:11:09 · answer #2 · answered by Doctor Why 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat its mistakes. The writings of Plato or Aristotle--Socrates did not write anything--are part of our fund of knowledge. Whether they were right or wrong in their assessment of ultimate reality, they still deserve to be heard. Philosophy is all about critiquing ideas and building on viable theories or rejecting implausible ones. We can learn quite a bit from the allegorical cave spoken of in the Republic. You also might learn a thing or two from the analogy of the divided line.
2007-03-08 15:08:58 · answer #3 · answered by sokrates 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Socrates and Plato were geniuses of their time. They sparked a chain reaction which later led to modern thinking. They challenged the very controlled way of thinking. They need to be studied because of the contributions they made to the rest of the world.
People still avidly read Shakespear becuase he was a genius in his own medium. It's the same thing.
2007-03-08 15:20:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are just going to attack Socrates and Plato you should probably have an argument against there work other than Ahhh!
2007-03-08 14:44:54 · answer #5 · answered by rjp96 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
no one is is dumb theres no such thing as a dumb question from every question theres a lesson something new to learn even if you have heard the question a 1000 times and had a different answere every time if they ask you just 1 more time u would lean 1 more thing maybe even if its just that they are realy repetative exspecialy if you discuse this question with a friend or someone else anyone maybe these (Stupid) philosophers where MAYBE trying to show you this
2007-03-08 15:26:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
then you should choose another option instead of being here.
Try answering your own question as if your asking yourself in a different way as this: Why am I here in this universe?. What is the purpose of my life? What is the essence of every single creature in this world?
I suggest go to science category, and you don't have to reason out by crucial thinking with question like why is mind attached to matter? none of the philosophers were able to resolve this.
2007-03-12 08:36:01 · answer #7 · answered by oscar c 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
O.K. Just how "dumb" are these guys if they've managed to keep their works and thinking "alive" and in print for centuries from BEYOND the grave!?!
As for why people read them? Well, possibly: because they are there!
2007-03-08 15:02:57 · answer #8 · answered by pat z 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are all theories or guidelines and if they were so dumb why are they so popular, and still studied by collage students. every bodies entitled to there opinion whether it is right or wrong. people read them to get a basic idea of past theories.
2007-03-08 14:49:02 · answer #9 · answered by kelly 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People are interested in the past to understand how we have evolved , Maybe today the past philosophers are not up to are thinking today but this is good , you wouldn't want us to be still thinking as they did in the past .
2007-03-08 15:09:41 · answer #10 · answered by krystal_harmoney_medium 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In philosophy as in life the greatest reward is not in the conclusion but in the journey. Although the faces and names change, we do not learn from our mistakes and even the greatest minds can figure that one out.
2007-03-08 14:44:56 · answer #11 · answered by Ray2play 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋