The Calvinist International
Plato, in the Phaedo, had Socrates claim that philosophy was “practice for dying and death.” It was a sentiment that was to exercise great influence down through the centuries, all the way to Heidegger’s “Being-toward-death” and beyond. (That last part works better if you say it in the voice of Buzz Lightyear.) John Calvin agreed […]
In response to the question, “What was God doing before he created the universe?,” one frequently encounters the claim that Augustine said, “He was preparing hell for those who ask such questions.” In other words, Augustine was owning the confused. But Augustine had more sense than to use such a strategy avant la Twittre. And so […]
I wanted to say a few things about Paul Tournier’s thoughts on sublimation and the relationship between sexual energy and divine creativity. If you haven’t read his essay, then refer to it first. I hope to explain his perspective and then expand it to a more basic understanding of desire and dominion. The first thing which […]
Towards the beginning of the Phaedrus, in one of his many entertaining rabbit-trails, Socrates explains why it is that he doesn’t much care to prove or disprove the ancient myths. He hints that they are likely untrue, but his focus is fixed upon more pressing matters: Phaedr. I have never noticed it; but I beseech you […]