Dr. Sadler, I first started watching your videos in an attempt to understand the required reading for my Education Foundations class. I was looking for a "Cliff Notes" type video and you surpassed my expectations in every way. I've started watching more and more of your videos, even though I completed my assignment. I took Ethics and Philosophy years ago. You helped me rekindle my love for these great minds. I love how you teach. One of the things I've picked up on is your variety of drinking glasses. I think it would be pretty cool to have a mug with your "mug" on it! Thank you so much.
+Paul Tucker Hahaha! Yes, someday, perhaps we'll come out with mugs and other items! I'm glad that the videos have been helpful not only in learning the concepts but even more in rekindling a desire to reread these thinkers
a new core concept video of a somewhat different sort -- a close reading of the aporetic dialogue The Meno, culling out some Platonic teachings on goods, desire, and knowledge
Yep, just looked at it -- and while it's not actually spam, it is definitely unrelated to the Meno (and in all caps) You're very welcome. So, what do you think about the dialogue?
I didn't have that idea, but it's not a bad one. I could see creating a fairly cheap e-book, or series of them, doing precisely that. It would take some time, and I'd have to take that from somewhere else in my schedule. The only real snag that I can think of with respect to these, though, is that I do keep adding more and more of these. So, no ebook would actually have all of them
Well, there you go -- it is then a real live issue for you. Here's what I'd say then about the Greek stuff -- you can always get yourself started, If you've learned one language already, you now know how to learn languages, and what sort of effort and persistence is needed. You'll find that having the Greek really opens the texts and thinkers up to you, so it's worth doing for its own sake. I would think that being able to say: "I'm still working on my Greek" would look good for positions
Thank you for making these videos accessible. They are quite helpful for those studying Philosophy on their own (or as much as can be gained with solitary learning of this subject)!
Gregory, Afternoon, I hope all is well. I just wanted to touch base and let you know how insightful these videos are for me.I just picked up a philosophy class online and you cover a broad spectrum of the literature I'm studying if not more! The class framework is laid out great with all the structured content and rational reasoning coupled with good dialogue as well.Also, I must add that the blackboard you use is such a great reference tool for following along with what you're covering.Thanks,
I would say that you probably ought to study Classical Greek if you want to specialize. If you don't, as you say, then perhaps you don't need it. I would not worry about whether a top university will let you do anything -- unless you've got some pretty outstanding contacts, and are already going to a top-tier university, you're probably not going to have a shot at working in one. There's a definite class system in academia. But can you teach Greek thinkers without reading Greek? Sure.
OK, I think I know what you're saying. I'm already at a top university in the UK (King's College London), and I'm well connected too. My interests in terms of specialisation are Kant and ethics, so my longing to teach Greek philosophy is definitely secondary. I don't think I'm going to be able to learn Classical Greek between now and getting my doctorate . . . Humph.
Hi Greg, I'm a philosophy student and I have an increasingly growing interest in Greek philosophy. I want to become a philosophy professor, and although I don't intend for Greek philosophy to be my specialism, I would like to be able to teach it. Now, my problem is that I don't speak Greek, and I have no ability in reading Greek (excepting a handful of Greek words that recur in the texts I read) . . . Will this prove highly disadvantageous? Would a top university let me teach Greek philosophy?
Hi, Dr. Sadler, I was wondering what sort of book you have? I imagine it is one of those huge compilation books with all of Plato's dialogues. I can't help but chuckle at how much it looks like a Bible, and how, with muted sound, you look like some sort of Platonic Priest. And the thought of all of the separate Platonic 'books' within one book, like the books of the Bible. It's all amusing! So, yes, which book is it that you have? It's a very pretty book. Thank you so much for all of these videos, they're a great help. Sincerely. PS: I posted this on two of your videos, unsure of whether or not I should post it on a recent one, or a relevant (relevant in material) one.
Appreciate the response, Dr. Sadler. I was also wondering if you have any online resources which show the best outline for which to learn philosophy. For example, is it best to read, say, Heraclitus, then Plato, then Aristotle, then the Stoics, then Aquinas, then Nietzsche, then Russel? (Obviously I am skipping quite a few generations of philosophers, and entire schools of thought, but it is only to illustrate the concept of studying from oldest philosophy to the youngest.) Or, is it more beneficial to study philosophy scattered about (say, reading some of Plato's dialogues, then the Gay Science by Nietzsche, then Locke's Treatises, and maybe Seneca's letters)? I love your videos and they are a great help, but I'm not perfectly certain where to begin my reading list, and, after such a beginning, where to follow. I'd appreciate any direction that would be worth your time. Sincerely.
There is no "best" in that respect. It depends on what you want to study. I typically have students start with Plato, not with pre-Socractics. If it's really something you want to spend time on developing in detail, that's something I work on individually with clients, through my tutorial services. Here's my site for that - reasonio.wordpress.com/tutorials/
I think one big issue in the Meno is that wisdom itself is never discussed. What is wisdom? In so far as I can tell, Socrates doesn't say what it is nor question it. In your Meno - Part 2 lecture (around 45:50 or so) you mention wisdom is, "the capacity to judge things correctly, to figure things out, to use things the way they ought to be used." I'm referencing it as I think its a good definition of wisdom; you mention something similar in this lecture anyhow. I think the notion that virtue must be guided by wisdom poses a problem for Socrates. For example imagine if the movie Ocean's Eleven were true. Surely they are expert and wise thieves. They are wise in that they do what they do well. But are we to say they are virtuous? We wouldn't want to say that and I don't think Socrates would either. For although the acquisition of wealth is good one must do so justly to be virtuous. And so we are left to say that wisdom must be used wisely; in the case of the thief although they are wise they do not use use their wisdom wisely (justly). But then we are just adding another good (to use wisdom wisely) to make the goods below those good! Or am I missing something?
Well, this is one of those matters where, you're right, in this dialogue, it's touched on and referred to, but not fully explored. It does get discussed more thematically in other dialogues, for instance in the Republic. As far as the O11 thief example goes, Plato/Socrates isn't going to view the thief as actually wise -- it's not enough to do what one does well (e.g. stealing) for one to be using things the way they ought to be used. The thief does have some skill, some knowledge, but not wisdom
I’m now questioning wisdom. Is wisdom learned through life experiences? Seeking knowledge? Or trial and error? Is self actualisation being content with oneself? Does this make you happy? Realising your potential? This depends on the individual’s values and principles.
What about just the fact we are wired for this world that we have found ourselves in like baby’s already knowing how to suckle they are wired to nuzzle and suckle they don’t have to take suckling or nuzzling 101 their wired to do this. We’re wired for this world.
