Re: Ken Miller talk at Case Western

I recall when I was taking one of the required English courses in
the university, that the teacher had the class read some short part
of Plato's "Apology"without any introduction of who Socrates was or
what this apology was about.

At the start of discussion, one student blurted out, "My thoughts are,
who is the arrogant man? " By inexplicable grace, I had happened to
have taken a course in philosophy in high school, and in retrospect,
it seems the teacher had wisely (funny that's what "philosophy" is
about) introduced Plato and prepared us for reading his work. In context,
Socrates is a martyr, and one cannot help but feel sympathy for such
a man falsely accused and accept his words; as who can say what is
right for a man to say when justice has been rudely mocked by those
who claim to honor law, truth and honesty (or at least the law).

But I wonder, like that student who reacted to Socrates, perhaps
those who may have observed the trial walked away thinking that
Socrates basically got what he deserved. That does not absolve
those who are guilty and should have known better. However, it
might be of some value here to reflect that we are given two ears
and one mouth that we may listen more, and speak less. Or perhaps
more to the point: impressions are easy to make, understanding on the
other hand is very difficult.

by Grace we proceed,
Wayne
Received on Wed Jan 11 19:10:29 2006