Brandon. Socratic. Feb. 6, 2007.
Fellow Athenians,
I come to you today not as an orator, but as a seeker and purveyor of what little truth is available to me. I am not skilled in speech or the pursuit thereof, so if you would please, attempt to hear me out as best you can. If I falter in my use of language, forgive me and overlook it in an effort to understand what it is that I have to say to you today.
It seems to me, from my humble observations, that what must first be considered is the redistribution of land to each as was his prior to the Spartan invasion. We must give back to each what was his in an effort to start anew. This will ensure that farmers and landowners can get back to doing their incredibly valuable work. Each must return to doing what it is that he does best, his trade, if Athens is ever to prosper again. As these lands were forcefully taken from them, if the assembly should decide not to return their land to these men and their families it would be unjust and an atrocity. This is among the first steps in an effort to set Athens on the path to rule by justice.
The real problem that is having a devastating effect on our fair Athens is the tendency of mankind to be led through life by his desires and appetites, his emotive responses, rather than his intellect. I do not pretend to expect all of you to enjoy what it is that I am about to say, but it is something that must be said. I only ask that you hear me through. Nor do I expect or wish to govern your thoughts or your will, as these are yours alone to exercise. Only you are able to decide whether or not what I tell you is in fact true or not. Every human being is afforded the ability to reason and think logically and critically. By yielding to each of our appetites and refusing to live life through reason we give up the very thing that makes each of us human, that binds us all together, and by submitting ourselves to our desires we do both ourselves and those around us a great injustice. The essence of a just life is found out only through our minds and the virtue therein. Letting appetites and desires run our lives causes a person to think solely of personal gain and in so doing disregard the greater welfare of the polis as a whole. Some may say that such is the life of freedom, the freedom to choose. But I tell you that such a life is as far from free as a man can get. For such a person as this is bound not by the law of justice, but by every whim and will that surfaces both in his own mind and in the minds and mouths of every other man which he encounters.
I feel that I must warn you all for the betterment of the polis and all those who reside therein, do not resign yourselves to your desires and appetites and beware of any who would present an argument that uses these as its basis. A person who would attempt to appeal to your emotions, rather than your reason, in an effort to persuade you is not to be trusted. Such a person is insulting both you and your great city—by assuming that both you and your city are incapable of rational thought. As this dishonest man lacks any logical basis for his argument he feels that the only way in which he will get what he wishes is to take away from you your only true guide in this life—your intellect and understanding. For, if each gives way so easily to the desires of himself or allows himself to give way to the desires of those attempting to trick him into following their design, then our great city will never see peace and will repeat the same cycle of events over and over again.
I entreat you all once more let reason be your guide, as that is the only true way to achieve wisdom. This is the path of Athena, who has laid it before you. She and father Zeus have given us the choice of whether or not to follow it. Such a path is not easy and requires each to do his part to the best of his ability. The reward, however, a just city with reason as its guide, is worth the effort and time which each must be willing, of his own volition, to contribute. Again, I beseech you, let wisdom and reason, our guardian goddess Athena polias, guide you, not the desires and appetites which are so easily submitted to.
Thank you all for your time and attentiveness. It is appreciated. May each of you receive the blessings of Athena and her thunder—crowned father, mighty Zeus.
Fellow Athenians,
I come to you today not as an orator, but as a seeker and purveyor of what little truth is available to me. I am not skilled in speech or the pursuit thereof, so if you would please, attempt to hear me out as best you can. If I falter in my use of language, forgive me and overlook it in an effort to understand what it is that I have to say to you today.
It seems to me, from my humble observations, that what must first be considered is the redistribution of land to each as was his prior to the Spartan invasion. We must give back to each what was his in an effort to start anew. This will ensure that farmers and landowners can get back to doing their incredibly valuable work. Each must return to doing what it is that he does best, his trade, if Athens is ever to prosper again. As these lands were forcefully taken from them, if the assembly should decide not to return their land to these men and their families it would be unjust and an atrocity. This is among the first steps in an effort to set Athens on the path to rule by justice.
The real problem that is having a devastating effect on our fair Athens is the tendency of mankind to be led through life by his desires and appetites, his emotive responses, rather than his intellect. I do not pretend to expect all of you to enjoy what it is that I am about to say, but it is something that must be said. I only ask that you hear me through. Nor do I expect or wish to govern your thoughts or your will, as these are yours alone to exercise. Only you are able to decide whether or not what I tell you is in fact true or not. Every human being is afforded the ability to reason and think logically and critically. By yielding to each of our appetites and refusing to live life through reason we give up the very thing that makes each of us human, that binds us all together, and by submitting ourselves to our desires we do both ourselves and those around us a great injustice. The essence of a just life is found out only through our minds and the virtue therein. Letting appetites and desires run our lives causes a person to think solely of personal gain and in so doing disregard the greater welfare of the polis as a whole. Some may say that such is the life of freedom, the freedom to choose. But I tell you that such a life is as far from free as a man can get. For such a person as this is bound not by the law of justice, but by every whim and will that surfaces both in his own mind and in the minds and mouths of every other man which he encounters.
I feel that I must warn you all for the betterment of the polis and all those who reside therein, do not resign yourselves to your desires and appetites and beware of any who would present an argument that uses these as its basis. A person who would attempt to appeal to your emotions, rather than your reason, in an effort to persuade you is not to be trusted. Such a person is insulting both you and your great city—by assuming that both you and your city are incapable of rational thought. As this dishonest man lacks any logical basis for his argument he feels that the only way in which he will get what he wishes is to take away from you your only true guide in this life—your intellect and understanding. For, if each gives way so easily to the desires of himself or allows himself to give way to the desires of those attempting to trick him into following their design, then our great city will never see peace and will repeat the same cycle of events over and over again.
I entreat you all once more let reason be your guide, as that is the only true way to achieve wisdom. This is the path of Athena, who has laid it before you. She and father Zeus have given us the choice of whether or not to follow it. Such a path is not easy and requires each to do his part to the best of his ability. The reward, however, a just city with reason as its guide, is worth the effort and time which each must be willing, of his own volition, to contribute. Again, I beseech you, let wisdom and reason, our guardian goddess Athena polias, guide you, not the desires and appetites which are so easily submitted to.
Thank you all for your time and attentiveness. It is appreciated. May each of you receive the blessings of Athena and her thunder—crowned father, mighty Zeus.
posted by brandon | 11:32 AM
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