Socratic Discourses

The Socratic Discourses first appeared in the L.O.S. Newsletter, published during 1988-89. Some of them have been included here because the issues they dealt with are still relevant, perhaps even more so. The plan is to add more as time goes by.

The format employed has certain advantages. The statement-response combination allows for differing aspects as juxtapositions, to be inserted into such a conversational flow. It's what Socrates had used over 2000 years ago in his dialogues as written down by his student Plato.

In the current form the interchange is somewhat symbolic. I am not Socrates, and both - statement and response - have been written by myself; nor is there a Plato either. That symbolic 'Plato' however does stand for the opinions and perspectives making their way through modern-day society, causing often endless debates for and against some issue which is deemed important enough to be attacked and defended.

I cannot claim ultimate insight into those matters. On the other hand, there are certain bases from which one should argue lest some other leads to significantly negative consequences for all. They may not be recognised as such by everybody, and so the end result can only ever reflect the influence of those who managed to implement their version.

Understanding cognitive dynamics in terms of their nature, and delineating from them the disposition of society overall where such dynamics play themselves out day by day, makes it possible to identify those bases. How important they turn out to be when it comes to their perception, in other words how much impact a more realistic view compared to a lesser one will have eventually - in the positive as well as the negative sense - is something only hindsight can furnish conclusively. And even then, those who might have been able to learn from that may not be alive anymore.

Still, the dynamics defining a society in principle can be outlined, see The 10 axioms of Society.

Socratic Discourse 1
In which the rights and privileges of individuals acting within a group are considered. The location is a suburban street, its appearance prompting the opening remarks.

Socratic Discourse 2
In which the issue legality vs. illegality and its ramifications is being discussed; all against a rather unappetising background.

Socratic Discourse 3
In which the concept of God is not so much questioned as being defined. The location consists of a table, chairs, and a beverage amenable to philosophical deliberation.

Socratic Discourse 4
In which the position of science within a commercial society is discussed. The surroundings are habitually comfortable but, as will be seen, they distract in no way from the eventual outcome.

Socratic Discourse 5
In which the issue responsibility vs. privilege is being considered. The scene is a slightly dilapidated park within the city. The weather is favourable, thereby accentuating the variety of plants and animals existing in such an oasis.

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