Second Lecture of How To Think Like a Westerner

As we strain through the 2400-year-old fog of history, we can still discern a distant light that has never been fully extinguished since it entered our world. In the face of the embers that were still glowing as Socrates was snuffed out, Plato effectively fanned them into the glorious flame of ancient philosophy, which he passed in turn, like the torch of Olympia, to his greatest student, Aristotle.

Aquinas mingled this flame with the Light from Light that enlightens every believer. After this the ‘enlightenment’ sought to darken the modern heart by attempting to divorce the newly-weds: faith and reason. The fire of faith was supposed to retain only a sentimental glow within the old house, leaving evicted reason to brave the cold outside. Yet even the coldest modern heart, chained for too long to mere efficiency and the mastery of the material world, can still be warmed by this ancient flame that Plato still extends in our direction. Let us peer through the mists together, and contemplate the unique glow that enduring philosophical insight can give.

In our lectures, we explore what philosophical awakening means to Plato, via the Analogy of the Cave and then taste a little of Socrates and Plato as we explore the theme of love and friendship, via excerpts from Lysis and Symposium.