[beppe]

Originally Posted by FlorenceArt

My personal favorite is Epicurus,

A novel plane of discussion among you and me

Spoiler:

Great. I am so glad, not because of your preference for Epicurus, of whom I could not care less at this moment, but because you set a very honest plane of debate between us. That's the way. Let'us interiorize, doing that with an artist is never a loss. Worst come worst we can always sample a bottle. Now I am going to say my things, I read yours, if you reply good, if not we will find many occasions ahead, even on this thread to cross horns. I know that you don't like an expression so rude, but you set the plane of the discussion as it is your right by gender, than bear a little patience with my macho infantilism.

You Epicurus, me Augustine

Spoiler:

Now, I am interested in Augustine. The reason is very intimate and has to do with a search where personal and cultural heritage intertwines with doctrine and transcendence, Needs of my personal soul to which my mind responds enthusiastically. Very deep and interesting. Milano, capital of the Empire at that time, Ambrose resisting the power system almost declared heretic (Arianeism). This Giant Ambrose triggering the atheist and dissolute Augustine who was the speaker of the Emperor into becoming one of the strongest and most loved voices. With an echo that resounds strongly even now. So from one side I meditate Augustine mistic sparks and on the other I trace the origins of his thoughts. Then Plato is not a bad guy anymore. (that was useless). I'am finding much.

Roots

Spoiler:

Our culture, even after the heavy defertilizations by the Giacobins, the Nihilists and the Soviets, just to name a few, has strong roots that keep sprouting. The need for a gate to the transcendent is stronger than the layer of steel and concrete that is very fervidly applied. Rejecting the old ways (the old mistakes) people search their peace of mind in exotic ways, that come from cultures that are appealing mostly because only what pleases is taken. Just one side of the coin. Take the detachment and leave the beastly violence. It is enough not to look at it. Take the freedom and leave the responsibility to the fool masochists.

Philosophy, Science & Progress

Spoiler:

I do not see any big role of modern philosophy in all this, and neither of science except for the technological contributions to progress. Which progress becomes more and more difficult to integrate in people lives, because of its explosive intensity and rate of change. We are left with naked souls to face unasked questions of genetic engineering just to name one. A general escape in metarealities with metalanguages and metavalues. I am not against and I am not for. Exactly like when I look at the moon. She is. I can develop quite articulate opinions about the moon, but she is. For the progress is the same thing.

A tiny example

Spoiler:

Just to give you an example. This is what I got to meditate upon for to day.

Rising to knowledge starts from fear, as the principle of knowledge is the fear of the Lord. From the valley of tears we rise to the mountain of peace. (Sermo 347, 2)
The first two sentences run over me like water on the feathers of a duck, but the third one warms my heart. Pursuing knowledge we will free ourselves of tears, we will not fear no more, we will rise to peace. Peace as the most elevated of places. Peace of mind, peace of spirit, peace from war, peace of justice, peace among the people, peace among the states. Knowledge. Great eh. The pursuit of knowledge. Quite actual, i would dare say.