Head-dibs

  “They say those discourses,” the Greek philosopher Plutarch (46-120 AD) writes, “like friends, are best and surest that come to our refuge and aid in adversity, and are useful.” This is an appropriate summation of his 26 chapter work called “Moralia.” This work contains sage advice on topics including    education, love, virtue and vice, marriage, parenting, character development, friends and enemies, divine punishment, grief and consolation, borrowing money and even talkitiveness. Each thought-provoking chapter can be read “devotional” style. If you keep a journal, each chapter could fuel your thoughts for reflection. I found my copy at no cost in the public domain on Kindle. 

  "’Has no one told you, “In the Country of the Blind the One-eyed Man is King?”’”  “‘What is blind?’ asked the blind man carelessly over his shoulder.’” This is one of my favorite short stories published by H.G. Wells in 1904. It deserves to be revisited every now and then— plus, has all the makings of a long-lost “Twilight Zone” episode.

  In the spirit of Plutarch’s “Lives,” Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman present “The Lives of The Stoics. The Art of Living from Zeno to Marcus Aurelius.” The work is an uncomplicated biographical history of Stoicism starting in late Greece through the Roman Empire, centralized on practicing Stoics, who they were and what they did. Students of the Bible should give careful attention to this book, as it provides insight to the world of the early church from a historical perspective. Most telling are the trends that led to the persecution and exiles of the philosophers long before Christianity appeared on the scene. That so many notable Stoics came from Tarsus should be of particular interest. While the book provides an indirect introduction to the thinking of those who met Paul on Mars Hill (Acts 17), the authors present principles for present-day living. 

 

 

 

 Merry Christmas!

 

  Finished reading “Prometheus Bound” by Aeschylus (c 525-456 BC). This launches a new study in Religion and Theology as I make my way through The Great Books in The Great Ideas Program (Volume 4).   This mythological Greek play is considered to be religious, or theological in nature because it explores the question of ultimate power in the universe and man’s relation to that power (Adler, Payne). Zeus gained the throne after killing his father and, “appointed various rights to various gods, giving to each his set place and authority of wretched humans. He took no account, resolved to annihilate them and create another race. This purpose there was none to oppose, but I, I dared I save the human race from being grounded to dust from total death. . . . I pitied mortal men.. . And seek to fix dishonor on the name of Zeus. . . “ So the Titan Prometheus stole fire from the gods and taught man to fend for himself. “All human skill and science was Prometheus’ gift.” In short: Prometh...