D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths III: Implications for How to Live
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
Release Date: 11/12/2024
Aristotle 101: A Counter-View to Plato
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
The next great thinker in the world of philosophy was Plato’s greatest student, Aristotle. On today’s episode, we’ll explore the following questions: What are the differences between Plato’s and Aristotle’s philosophical schools of thought, and why are both important to western philosophy? If Aristotle’s scientific discoveries have been overturned by modern science, why is he still important to that field? How did Aristotelian philosophy become the barometer for religion in later periods?
info_outline
Xenophon: The One that Got Away
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
Socrates had another student who, unlike Plato, has been relegated to the dusty shelves. As we learn about Xenophon, we’ll explore the following questions: Who was Xenophon, and why did he fall out of favor such that he is far less known than Plato? How does Xenophon define excellence, and how is his view unique? To Xenophon, what is justice? How similar is that Plato’s understanding of justice?
info_outline
Plato's Dialogues: Crito, Phaedo, Euthyphro, Symposium, and the Laws
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
The questions that animate the spirit of the west can be found in Plato’s dialogues. As we discuss five of them, Rabbi Rocklin will walk us through the following questions: How is Socrates’ refusal to escape an act of justice? According to Socrates, how does the philosophic life prepare someone for death What is the difference between the Greek and Jewish notions of love?
info_outline
Plato's Apology II: The Un-Apologetic Philosopher
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
In his closing arguments, Socrates will continue to insist that the unexamined life is not worth living. In exploring that issue, we’ll address the following questions: How does Socrates try to convince the jury that it is their loss if he is put to death? Why would Socrates refuse to beg the jury for his life? How does Socrates see himself as a Greek hero? Recommended Reading: Plato. Translated by H. Tredennick and H. Tarrant. New York: Penguin, 2003.
info_outline
Plato’s Apology I: Philosophy Under Fire
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
The death of Socrates sets off a new phase in the world of philosophy. In today’s episode, Rabbi Rocklin will address the following questions: How is Socrates’ death a continuation of the traditional Greek tragedy? Why is winning his case not a priority for Socrates? How does Socrates define wisdom? Recommended Reading: Plato. . Translated by H. Tredennick and H. Tarrant. New York: Penguin, 2003.
info_outline
Plato's Republic II: The Individual vs. Society
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
Our study of Plato’s Republic continues with Socrates’ remarkable insight into human nature. Rabbi Rocklin will walk us through the following questions: To Socrates, what is the relationship between the form of government in a city and the ideal man within that city? How does Socrates imagine cities transitioning from one form of government to another? What does Socrates see as the potential dangers of the liberties that come along with a democratic society? Recommended Reading: Plato. . Trans. Allan Bloom. New York: Basic Books, 1968.
info_outline
Plato's Republic I: On Justice, Truth, and Wisdom
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
Plato’s Republic is one of the most foundational texts in the western canon. To help us unpack why that is, Rabbi Rocklin will address the following questions: What was Socrates’ goal in this very long conversation with his students How does the individual fit into Socrates’ “city in speech”? What is the role of knowledge in the pursuit of the good and the true? Recommended Reading: Plato. . Trans. Allan Bloom. New York: Basic Books, 1968.
info_outline
Intro to Philosophy: Its Birth in Athens
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
Athens’ contributions to the development of the west would be vastly incomplete without its invention of philosophy. Today, Rabbi Rocklin will walk us through the following questions: What is philosophy and why did it develop as a discipline? Is there any truth to the notion that philosophy is necessarily sacrilegious What made Socrates different than the philosophers who came before him such that Socrates is considered the father of philosophy?
info_outline
A Lasting Legacy: Greek Poetry and Drama
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
The grandeur of Greek thought is captured in the heart of Greek tragedy. On today’s episode, we’lll explore the following questions: To the Greek, what was the purpose of poetry? What was its relationship to prophecy How does Greek drama develop from poetry? What makes Greek tragedy so compelling that it lives on to today?
info_outline
Thucydides: The History of the Peloponnesian Wars
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
Thucydides takes one step beyond Herodotus in his approach to history. As we read his account of the Peloponnesian Wars, we’ll address the following questions: What is the difference between Thucydides’ tragic perspective of the Peloponnesian Wars and the Homerian tragedy? How does Thucydides’ description of Athenian devotion to the polis highlight a fundamental difference between Greeks and Jews? According to Thucydides in his recounting of Pericles’ funeral oration, why should the Greek choose to do the right thing? Recommended Reading: Thucydides. . Translated and edited by Paul...
info_outlineThe way in which we choose to live will be affected by whether we live with Greek outlook or a Jewish one. Together, we’ll discover answers to the following questions:
- According to the pagan mentality, why do people suffer? What does the Bible say about suffering?
- How did the pagans define good and evil and how does that impact the ways in which they conducted their lives?
- How does the Greek notion of tragedy give rise to the idea that man should take responsibility for his own life?
Recommended Reading: D’Aulaire, Ingri & D’Aulaire, Edgar. D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths. New York: Delacorte, 1992.