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When Your Spiritual Elixir Tastes Like Burnt Toast—What Now?
If I was a piece of dog poo, would I know it?

The Latest

The Latest
The Delphic Maxim ‘Know Thyself’ in the Greek Magical Papryi

In The Delphic Maxim ‘Know Yourself’ in the Greek Magical Papyri, Hans Dieter Betz discusses two distinct interpretations of the Delphic maxim — one rooted in Platonic philosophy and the other in the magical traditions of antiquity as explored in the Greek Magical Papyri.

The Ancient Greeks Had It Figured Out (Or So They Thought)

Imagine a time when the solution to every personal and societal hiccup could be found in pithy maxims carved on temple walls. Enter the Seven Wise Men of ancient Greece, whose profound insights apparently solved everything from political unrest to poor crop yields with just a few well-placed words.

Why Did Thales Conclude All Whatness is Wetness?

In "Thoughts on Thales," Abraham Feldman revisits the legacy of Thales of Miletus, often hailed as the first philosopher in the Western tradition. Thales's bold assertion—that all is derived from water—marks a profound departure from the myth-driven cosmologies of his era, proposing instead a principle that is both omnipresent and universal.

In Pursuit of the Good

Hero’s & Villians: Fairy Tales for the Modern Era
The Curious Case of Johnny D
The Curious Case of Johnny D

Johnny D wasn't merely a San Francisco nudist; he was a devout exhibitionist. Every Sunday, post-church, Johnny D geared up, zoomed up Van Ness on his black Triumph Bonneville T120, a purchase made solely for trips to the nude beach.

The Wheat and the Weeds
The Wheat and the Weeds

In a distant dimension, far, far away, Captain Zog decided to initiate Project Earthly Enlightenment. He dispatched a team of ultra-terrestrial gardeners to sprinkle Earth with Cosmic Stardust, meant to awaken human consciousness and promote inter-dimensional peace.

Lucifer Is Dead. Rejoice! Rejoice!
Lucifer Is Dead. Rejoice! Rejoice!

Lucifer’s kingdom was vast, but it was a realm of secrets. He had, through his guile, erected barriers that kept the noble animals—like the wise owl, the courageous lion, and the just elephant—from entering his territory.

The first and greatest victory is to conquer yourself.

Athenian School

Plato's take on self-mastery.

Plato asserts self-conquest as the utmost triumph, advocating for inner discipline and virtue as the foundation of personal excellence and the precursor to societal harmony.

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Sticky board and to the point.

What's your 'type'?

Athenian School

According to Plato, there are three: Gold, Silver, Bronze.

In Plato's ideal republic, social classes are structured by 'metal types': Gold for the ruling philosophers, Silver for the guardian soldiers, and Bronze for the producing workers.

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Excellence is not a gift but a skill that takes practice.

Athenian School

Plato’s approach to virtue as an art.

Plato emphasizes that excellence, much like an art form, requires dedication and practice, viewing virtue not as an innate quality but a skill honed through disciplined effort.

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Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others.

Athenian School

Plato's chain reaction of virtue.

Plato believed that virtuous deeds fortify the individual's moral character and, through example, set off a ripple effect, encouraging similar virtuous behavior in the wider community.

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He who commits injustice is ever made more wretched than he who suffers it.

Athenian School

Plato’s view on the burden of injustice.

Plato argues that committing injustice degrades one's soul more deeply than suffering from it, highlighting the moral and psychological burden borne by the perpetrator of injustice.

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What is the stem of all evil?

Athenian School

Ignorance.

Plato identifies ignorance as the primary source of evil and societal problems, advocating for education and enlightenment as key to overcoming these challenges and achieving moral progress.

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Art History
Divine Love Conquering Earthly Love by Giovanni Baglione
Divine Love Conquering Earthly Love by Giovanni Baglione

Divine Love Conquering Earthly Love by Giovanni Baglione captivates with its dramatic depiction of Eros and a devilish figure in the background. Eros, armored and with a raised arm, prepares to strike a finishing blow with an arrow to the heart, symbolizing the victory of divine love over earthly love.

The First Mourning by William-Adolphe Bouguereau
The First Mourning by William-Adolphe Bouguereau

The First Mourning by William-Adolphe Bouguereau is a profound work of art that depicts the moment after Adam and Eve have found their son Abel, murdered by his brother Cain. This painting, dated 1888, is one of Bouguereau's most significant works, remarkable for its emotional depth and technical mastery.

Cupid Releasing Two Doves by Benjamin West
Cupid Releasing Two Doves by Benjamin West

Cupid Releasing Two Doves by Benjamin West is a rich painting both in its visual appeal and its symbolic content. The painting presents a youthful Cupid, traditionally the god of desire, erotic love, attraction, and affection.

Thetis Bringing Armor to Achilles by Benjamin West
Thetis Bringing Armor to Achilles by Benjamin West

Thetis Bringing Armor to Achilles is a work by Benjamin West that depicts a poignant moment from Homer's epic poem, the "Iliad". Thetis is the mother of Achilles, the greatest Greek warrior in the Trojan War.

Untitled by Jean-Léon Gérôme
Untitled by Jean-Léon Gérôme

Jean-Léon Gérôme’s painting features a classical figure, likely a personification or a goddess, given the presence of a laurel wreath and a star above her head, which often symbolize victory, peace, or eternal life.

Erigone Conquered by François Boucher
Erigone Conquered by François Boucher

Erigone Conquered by François Boucher displays a pastoral scene, a popular subject in Rococo art, characterized by a sense of playfulness and decorative elegance. Two female figures and two cherubs are depicted amidst a lush landscape. The composition is rich with flowing lines and soft, rounded forms, contributing to a sense of grace and ease. The color palette is light and airy, with an abundance of blues, greens, and warm flesh tones that enhance the dreamlike quality of the scene.

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Before the revered Socratic dialogues shaped the intellectual landscapes of Athens, a groundbreaking group of thinkers was already laying the philosophical bedrock. These Pre-Socratic philosophers, originating from diverse corners of ancient Greece, dared to seek answers beyond the realm of myths, looking instead to reason and nature.

Before the revered Socratic dialogues shaped the intellectual landscapes of Athens, a groundbreaking group of thinkers was already laying the philosophical bedrock. These Pre-Socratic philosophers, originating from diverse corners of ancient Greece, dared to seek answers beyond the realm of myths, looking instead to reason and nature.

Before the revered Socratic dialogues shaped the intellectual landscapes of Athens, a groundbreaking group of thinkers was already laying the philosophical bedrock. These Pre-Socratic philosophers, originating from diverse corners of ancient Greece, dared to seek answers beyond the realm of myths, looking instead to reason and nature.

Before the revered Socratic dialogues shaped the intellectual landscapes of Athens, a groundbreaking group of thinkers was already laying the philosophical bedrock. These Pre-Socratic philosophers, originating from diverse corners of ancient Greece, dared to seek answers beyond the realm of myths, looking instead to reason and nature.