“The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.” ― William Shakespeare, As You Like It Enter stage left, the Devil. “I’d wager” the dark figure smirked, “that I can take away your favourite” as it hauntingly gazed upward, taunting God. An infinite silence replied and the wager was accepted.
One way of looking at it is, the Magician seeks to achieve the fullness of his being within the boundary of his abilities, while the sorcerer seeks to transcend all boundaries. Such boundaries are the stuff of the creator, the false promise of no boundaries is the Faustian bargain.
This is where I appreciate Spengler calling the West, Faustian. Here in America we are partially Faustian, our elite on the coasts especially. Liberalism has devolved into demolishing every boundary in an epic devil's bargain. They are destroying themselves, in the transition of America from Faustian into something wholly other.
I'd decided that your substack is one worthy of my financial support only to discover that I can't find an upgrade button. My intentions are to pare down my reads mainly to those I'd financially support in the interest of saving time but I'll happily continue to enjoy yours regardless. Thank you for your work.
I understand that the prisoners dilemma is a thought experiment, but it has always seemed to be made up by people who've never served time. If your labelled a snitch in prison, the only person who's worse off are the pedophiles and the guy who pretends to be a chick. The consequences outside the system are equally as dire.
It is an interesting toy game, but one that then is taken to be an indication of what one should do in real life with possible dire and long lasting negative results.
Again, your illustrations. You're doing what I presumed Botticelli to have been attempting in the architectural marginalia of some of his mythical work. A little investigation proved that he was just "making a nice border". Piranesi had been a favorite of mine, but Joseph Wright crafts the better representation of my computer screen.
Yours is a thought provoking article; I'm tempted to read "Faust" -- I had been content with Marlowe's "Dr. Faustus"; the former sounds a lot deeper, but I do recall Dr. Faustus's having received something like the internet as his principle reward. I've not actually "read" Dr. Faustus, but its staging by the Royal Shakespeare company took place before the invention of the internet, so I feel privileged to have witnessed the prophecy.
Re: our brief exchange about modern philosophy. Here's a quote from Max Weber's "Science as a Vocation", presented in Allan Bloom's "Closing of the American Mind":
"Finally, although a naive optimism may have celebrated science -- that is, the technique of the mastery of life founded on science -- as the path which would lead to happiness, I believe I can leave this entire question aside in light of the annihilating critique which Nietzsche has made of "the last men" who "have discovered happiness." Who, then, still believes in this, with the exception of a few big babies in university chairs or in editorial offices?"
I'm tempted to apply that quote to all current events. I recommend Weber's entire article. Looking again at Bloom's strangely popular -- perhaps not often read -- work, he has really crafted something extraordinary: "A Field Guide to Modern Western Philosophy" -- his observations are made from snapshots taken "in situ".
It’s fascinating to watch you take this shocking story about the FAA and wind it thru your excellent thought process to produce this striking essay. The downward spiral can be adjusted but it would take a strength that many don’t have. The thought of self-sacrifice is not currently in vogue but if circumstances become so dire many could rise to the occasion, myself included. On a lighter note, I’m glad you went ahead with the puzzles!
Problematic in that your suggestion is to continue on the path, that of least resistance as well, until systemic failure teaches very many Gretchens what it is like to live in “Obama’s Ukraine.” Although this might be what is claimed to be “saving democracy” there must be a better path with fewer catastrophic air crashes.
What is your suggestion for a remedy? Putting poison chocolate on Gretchen’s mother’s bed stand is not a valid response.
Really great and well written post.
One way of looking at it is, the Magician seeks to achieve the fullness of his being within the boundary of his abilities, while the sorcerer seeks to transcend all boundaries. Such boundaries are the stuff of the creator, the false promise of no boundaries is the Faustian bargain.
This is where I appreciate Spengler calling the West, Faustian. Here in America we are partially Faustian, our elite on the coasts especially. Liberalism has devolved into demolishing every boundary in an epic devil's bargain. They are destroying themselves, in the transition of America from Faustian into something wholly other.
I'd decided that your substack is one worthy of my financial support only to discover that I can't find an upgrade button. My intentions are to pare down my reads mainly to those I'd financially support in the interest of saving time but I'll happily continue to enjoy yours regardless. Thank you for your work.
Interesting and well thought through. Many thanks
I understand that the prisoners dilemma is a thought experiment, but it has always seemed to be made up by people who've never served time. If your labelled a snitch in prison, the only person who's worse off are the pedophiles and the guy who pretends to be a chick. The consequences outside the system are equally as dire.
It is an interesting toy game, but one that then is taken to be an indication of what one should do in real life with possible dire and long lasting negative results.
Again, your illustrations. You're doing what I presumed Botticelli to have been attempting in the architectural marginalia of some of his mythical work. A little investigation proved that he was just "making a nice border". Piranesi had been a favorite of mine, but Joseph Wright crafts the better representation of my computer screen.
Yours is a thought provoking article; I'm tempted to read "Faust" -- I had been content with Marlowe's "Dr. Faustus"; the former sounds a lot deeper, but I do recall Dr. Faustus's having received something like the internet as his principle reward. I've not actually "read" Dr. Faustus, but its staging by the Royal Shakespeare company took place before the invention of the internet, so I feel privileged to have witnessed the prophecy.
Re: our brief exchange about modern philosophy. Here's a quote from Max Weber's "Science as a Vocation", presented in Allan Bloom's "Closing of the American Mind":
"Finally, although a naive optimism may have celebrated science -- that is, the technique of the mastery of life founded on science -- as the path which would lead to happiness, I believe I can leave this entire question aside in light of the annihilating critique which Nietzsche has made of "the last men" who "have discovered happiness." Who, then, still believes in this, with the exception of a few big babies in university chairs or in editorial offices?"
I'm tempted to apply that quote to all current events. I recommend Weber's entire article. Looking again at Bloom's strangely popular -- perhaps not often read -- work, he has really crafted something extraordinary: "A Field Guide to Modern Western Philosophy" -- his observations are made from snapshots taken "in situ".
It’s fascinating to watch you take this shocking story about the FAA and wind it thru your excellent thought process to produce this striking essay. The downward spiral can be adjusted but it would take a strength that many don’t have. The thought of self-sacrifice is not currently in vogue but if circumstances become so dire many could rise to the occasion, myself included. On a lighter note, I’m glad you went ahead with the puzzles!
Problematic in that your suggestion is to continue on the path, that of least resistance as well, until systemic failure teaches very many Gretchens what it is like to live in “Obama’s Ukraine.” Although this might be what is claimed to be “saving democracy” there must be a better path with fewer catastrophic air crashes.
What is your suggestion for a remedy? Putting poison chocolate on Gretchen’s mother’s bed stand is not a valid response.