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Yeah, you’re both right, it wasn’t a thoughtful response. I won’t bother trying to defend it – should probably realize I’m out of my depth with something like Macbeth. :D

Yes, I have lived in the UK. I’m English. I grew up in London and I’ve spent most of my life there, although I don’t live in the UK at the moment. I agree with your criticism “liberal excuses” to a...

Unnameable, I don’t agree that a focus on personal responsibility has become "unfashonable" in public discourse– if anything, it’s become more prevalent as a focus on structural/systemic problems has...

I agree, Elmer, that it sort of loses momentum in terms of the focus on certain characters, but I sort of thought that was intentional wasn’t it? The book seemed to be saying that nothing really...

These debates do recur. There’s also the problem that they tend to be cast in very vague terms and refer to things/problems that are very hard to accurately measure. For example, how are we to...

Blp: It would have to be the case that people handle this in different ways wouldn’t it really? I think your response offered a really interesting way of looking at the question of how we mold...

Yes, the forum, and life in general can be seen as theatre. And, yes, sometimes it is tempting to lean towards the idea that it signifies nothing but, of course, not all things are equally...

I had the opposite experience with this book. I don’t know that I was surprised by it exactly…it’s a very sad book really. I agree with you that you have to stick with it – it’s not an easy read!

Okay, Xamonas – I see what blp means. Thanks for clarifying. :)

This thread really reminds me of a film from a few years back called “Last Night” – it’s great. It shows how different people choose to spend the last 6 hours before the world ends (it’s not actually...

I suppose my “favourite” villain is Uriah Heap because he’s so slimy and resentful – he's disgusting because he's cunning. He's villainous as a result of weakness. I think Iago’s a good choice as...

Also, I’m not sure that everyone presents themselves carefully in a chat room. In some ways you can be far less careful because many of the constraints of real life are removed. I wonder if people...

Blp: Do you think that everyone does this in the same way? It’s interesting because the responses on this thread seem to be suggesting that various people present themselves to others in various...

Yes, I agree Plato IS concerned about the question of war, and I think he does want his reader to think about what type of war would count as just.
But I don’t follow your idea that the Republic...

One other thing: If war has no place in the ideal, then wouldn't this make the soldier class unemployed? Wouldn't this make the structure UNbalanced?

blp: No, I’m not sure in the sense of being certain that I have the right answer about this book. But I do see plenty of evidence that undermines the idea that the city is intended as a guide for a...

I appreciate your point jon1jt, but I don’t think you and I are reading this book in the same way. I don’t think that the city constructed on the basis of the idea that everyone is either gold,...

I hadn’t heard of this author before but he seems very interesting. I’ve had a look at the “Invisible Cities” link and they’re really beautiful, but also quite violent and sad. I’m not sure this...

I wonder if Plato’s point is a bit broader than this. The problem with democracy is not only apathy, but that it values freedom without drawing any distinctions or standards. His view of democracy...

I didn’t know about the cannibalism but I’ve heard before that chimps are far from cute. I have a friend who works for a zoo and she’s told me that they’re the animals that make the zookeepers feel...

Todd, no need to apologize - I didn’t think there was a reply-deadline. That’s the nice thing about NOT having to do coursework – you can take your time!

I can think of several critiques that do...

I’m not sure whether you’re launching a complaint or posing a question? :D As Robin and Scheherazade have said, the forums seem to be trying to cater to both aspects in different places. Also, it...

I am completely fluent in UK-English. I’m almost fluent in Canadian-English, but I’m still learning. Until recently I thought that the Canadian/American word for “cling film” was “surround wrap”...

:lol: :lol: :lol: Oh this made me laugh - thanks! (hope you manage to find your “swap”!).

Yes, I think that’s basically it, although I found her attitude towards her career totally confusing as well. All can say, is that I can think with this book, but I wasn't able to feel with it. ...