Brief Notes on Various Topics -- 4

12 February 2024

Brief Notes on Various Topics – 4

1.  Porphyry writes in his Life of Plotinus that Plotinus wrote quickly and after finishing an essay refrained from revising it.  At times, I think, this gives his writing the feeling of ‘thinking out loud;’ I’m referring to a kind of spontaneity as Plotinus looks at a topic from another philosopher’s perspective, then a second philosopher’s, or tradition’s, perspective.  This can happen because Plotinus had internalized the vast heritage of Greek philosophy in general, and his own Platonist heritage in particular.

2.  I have returned to The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius, which I am reading in the evening.  I regularly reread the Consolation.  There is a strong connection between Phaedo and Consolation.  Both depict the salvific nature of philosophy at the end of lives dedicated to its study and practice.  Socrates is more sure of himself and the salvific nature of philosophy; he doesn’t have to be convinced of this, rather Socrates is in the role of convincing his students.  Boethius has lost touch with the central teachings of philosophy and because of this he, unlike Socrates, is in despair.  The Consolation shows Boethius reconnecting with philosophy and how that brings a sense of peace to him even in his very difficult situation.  Both works inspire readers to walk the way of philosophy.

3.  One of the differences between Socrates and Boethius is that Boethius was seduced by politics.  Socrates was never seduced by politics; he remained outside of that sphere.  Both were victims of political machinations.  I think the lesson to be learned from this is that philosophers should withdraw from the political sphere and focus on the transcendental.  That doesn’t guarantee that politics won’t track you down, as in the case of Socrates.  But I think disengaging from politics offers a philosopher a greater sense of a life well lived.

4.  It’s interesting that near the beginning of Consolation Philosophy banishes the muses who are keeping Boethius in his miserable state due to their fixation on his woeful condition.  Yet the Consolation itself alternates between poetry and prose throughout the work.  This is an example of a kind of ambiguity towards poetry, and other arts, found in the Platonic tradition. 

5.  I live in a desert valley surrounded by mountains.  There was a winter rainstorm last week and the mountains are now covered with snow.  It is awesomely beautiful. 

The snow will melt soon as the desert heat returns.  But the beauty itself will remain.