For What Reason?
Reason is immortal, all else mortal.
— Pythagoras (570-495 BC)
As Peter Shaffer put it to Arnold Wesker; THE planksip Möbius
For What Reason?
Reason is immortal, all else mortal.
— Pythagoras (570-495 BC)
The titled responsion pulls at the reason for reason. What is her survival function? I think we all know the answer, innate and coupled to the forme of life we call humanity.
Cheekiness aside, the reason for reason is self-evident and fractal in nature. Where thoughts converge, Reason is present. Gifts of repeatability and the awareness to know better (from worse). If no one is around to tell the story, Reason falls silent. So let your words burn, not your planet.
The Philosopher of Elea, Pythagoras, lived between the 5th Century BC and 4th Century BC. Pythagoras is famous for his contribution to geometry and mathematics and his theories concerning the nature of the universe. Pythagoras believed that there are forces at work in the world that govern everything from weather to human affairs. His major teachings were based on understanding these forces, which he called "the modes of things." In other words, they made the world what it is, so he formulated the basic principles of mathematics, science, and philosophy.
Pythagoras was an Ionian Greek philosopher who lived during the fourth and third centuries BC. His religious and political teachings were very popular among the Greeks and (the interpretation of his teachings) was influenced by the teachings of Socrates and Plato. Pythagoras believed that all things were part of a larger whole, which made them equal and that God is always the creator of all things. Pythagoras's teachings also included that there is a balance in everything and that there is always a meaning in things. He held that good and evil are never absolute but relative. He also believed that we are part of something greater than ourselves, which he called "nature." According to Pythagoras, everything is connected to the earth, and everything in the world is governed by the cycles of nature.
His writings can be found in the library of Alexandria in Egypt, although much of what is available comes from a modern perspective. It was not until the twentieth century that modern scholars could completely understand the contents of the books. In fact, most of what is known are based on speculation. Some modern scholars do not believe that Pythagoras's contributions to mathematics were as profound as those attributed to him by early modern Greek and Roman writers. There has been so much controversy over Pythagoras's mathematical contributions because it was difficult for early men of his time to understand them.
Stoke That Fire With Your Passions
The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.
— Plutarch (46-120 AD)
The titled responsion moves on from the theatre performance to everyday life. That is unless your passion is the theatre, and then I say to all who can imagine, 'The show must go on'.
Fire is painful as a natural element, so why the analogy to something pure? This Promethean origin story transcends Zeuss, who is dead, yet technology, represented by the manifestation of Prometheus, lives on. Myth is powerful; ask David Fitzgerald, otherwise known as the Myth Man.
From Shaffer's Soledad, the Flame Ignites
From a little spark may burst a flame.
— Dante Alighieri (1265-1321), book Paradiso Canto I, line 34 (tr. Sinclair). The Divine Comedy (c. 1308–1321), Paradiso
The titled responsion reinforces Dante's fire metaphor with the performance from the playwright Shaffer is alluding to.
What a profound statement about the power of small beginnings. This quote highlights the idea that something small and seemingly insignificant has the potential to grow and become something much larger and more significant.
From an academic perspective, this quote can be interpreted in a number of ways. One possible interpretation is in the context of creativity and innovation. Often, great ideas start with a small spark of inspiration, a tiny seed of an idea that, with cultivation and nurturing, can grow into something truly transformative. This is particularly true in the field of technology, where many of the world's most innovative products and services started with a single idea or a small team of passionate individuals.
Another possible interpretation of Dante's quote is in the context of social and political change. Sometimes, a small group of people can spark a movement that grows and spreads to encompass the entire world. This is particularly true in the age of social media, where a single post or tweet can ignite a firestorm of controversy and spark a worldwide conversation.
At the heart of Dante's quote is the idea that every great achievement starts with a small beginning. Whether it's a creative project, a social movement, or a personal goal, everything we do starts with a single step, a single spark that has the potential to ignite a much larger flame.
This idea is particularly relevant in today's fast-paced, constantly changing world. It's easy to get overwhelmed by the enormity of the challenges we face, whether it's global warming, income inequality, or political unrest. But Dante's quote reminds us that small, manageable steps can overcome even the greatest challenges.
Of course, there is no guarantee that every small spark will burst into a flame. Sometimes, ideas fizzle out, and movements fail to gain traction. But even in these cases, there is still value in starting small and trying. As the old adage goes, "nothing ventured, nothing gained."
Whether we are pursuing a creative project, trying to effect social change, or simply trying to achieve a personal goal, everything we do starts with a small beginning. By nurturing these small sparks, we can ignite flames of creativity, passion, and change that can transform our lives and the world around us.
The Hot and Cold of Ignorance
Condemning all women in order to help some misguided men get over their foolish behaviour is tantamount to denouncing fire, which is a vital and beneficial element, just because some people are burnt by it, or to cursing water just because some people are drowned in it.
— Christine de Pizan (1364-1440)
The titled responsion shows the dark side of the fire.
Pizan's comparison of women to fire and water is a vivid and compelling analogy. Fire and water are both essential elements of life, and they have many beneficial uses. However, they can also be dangerous and harmful if not used correctly. Just as it would be wrong to denounce fire or water as inherently bad because of their potential dangers, it is also wrong to condemn all women based on the actions of a few.
The quote is particularly relevant in today's world, where many groups are unfairly stigmatized and discriminated against based on the actions of a few individuals. For example, Muslims are often unfairly stereotyped as terrorists because of the actions of a small minority of extremists. Similarly, black people are often unjustly targeted by law enforcement because of the actions of a few individuals.
This quote is a call to action for all of us to resist the temptation to make sweeping generalizations based on the actions of a few. Instead, we should strive to judge people based on their individual merits and actions, rather than on their gender, race, religion, or any other characteristic.
The call to action here is for us to judge people based on their merits rather than their gender, race, or any other characteristic.
As Peter Shaffer put it to Arnold Wesker
We are shaped and fashioned by what we love.
— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)
The titled responsion re-enforces the work that a playwork will do, the ultimate achievement of conveying the ability to feel fire and be burned by it.
Goethe was a German writer and philosopher who believed that our passions and desires play a crucial role in shaping our character and determining our destiny.
Peter Shaffer echoes this idea in his play "Amadeus," which explores the life and music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In the play, Mozart is portrayed as a genius whose love of music drives his creative output. Shaffer suggests that Mozart's passion for music is what sets him apart from his contemporaries and ultimately leads to his success.
Similarly, Arnold Wesker, a British playwright and author, argues that our passions and desires are what give our lives meaning and purpose. In his play "Chicken Soup with Barley," Wesker explores the lives of a working-class family in London's East End. The play is a powerful meditation on the role of love and passion in shaping our lives and destinies.
Taken together, the works of Goethe, Shaffer, and Wesker suggest that our passions and desires are what make us who we are. Our loves, desires, and dreams shape our character and determine our destiny. Whether it is Mozart's love of music, the working-class family's passion for social justice, or Goethe's love of literature and philosophy, our passions make us truly human.
This idea has important implications for our personal and professional lives. It suggests that we should follow our passions and pursue our dreams, even if they seem impractical or unlikely to lead to success. It also suggests that we should be mindful of the things we love and the ways in which they shape our character and our interactions with others.
Goethe's quote, "We are shaped and fashioned by what we love," is a powerful reminder of passion and desire's role in shaping our lives and destinies. Shaffer and Wesker add additional support to this idea through their exploration of the lives and passions of Mozart and working-class families in London. Our loves and passions make us who we are, and embracing them and following our dreams is important.
THE planksip Möbius: I would like to begin and end with a thought I first read in George Steiner's Grammars of Creation...
Peter Shaffer put it to Arnold Wesker:
furious, inchoate energy funneled through shape (and only so) reconstitutes itself as furious energy in the brains and psyches of its recipients. Reconstitutes itself because of you. The fire which started in the playwright’s head must get dimmer and dimmer as it grows in the communal imagination of an audience. Your job is to convey sacred flame in a vessel. You can say, looking at that vessel smoking on the stage: “How miserable. I have seen the Volcano, and all I caught is one wretched tongue of fire.” But that tongue properly placed and focused upon is the Volcano. Your power to concentrate fire for an audience will make them feel it, and be burned by it, even though they don’t know the volcano, and never can…. what one writes can detonate in a viewer’s head with the same resonance that it had when one first put it down on paper …
Breath-Taking
O the mind, mind has mountains; cliffs of fall, Frightful, sheer, no-man-fathomed.
— Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889)
The titled responsion aptly takes one's breath away.
The Superman myth has the deity from another sun leaping mountains with ease. Gravity is no longer consistent among human forme. Breath-taking awareness that our words (Logos) can metaphorically move mountains is a statement in itself. The irony is that nothing moves that isn't material. This a fact for which we all should orient towards perfection, leveraging the utility of the a priori. Slowing progress is the only final point worth discussing. There is a nod to Aristotle here with his final causes. Whichever way you think about it, a Grand Narrative emerges. Academics should participate enough with this hokey pokey of one foot in, one foot out, with fears of contaminating the orthodoxy of objectivity. It's all about risk, reward, and the distribution of the wisdom that emerges.
The Fuel for this Fire is Epiphenomenal
The spread of civilization may be likened to a fire; first, a feeble spark, next to a flickering flame, then a mighty blaze, ever increasing in speed and power.
— Nikola Tesla (1856-1943)
The titled responsion adds more fuel to the fire for the projections we can't help but order.
The spread of civilization is a flame that dances and burns, flickering with life and promise. It begins as a small spark, a glimmer of hope in the darkness, and slowly grows into a mighty blaze, consuming all in its path.
The fuel for this fire is a mix of ingredients, a recipe of factors that come together to create a powerful force. It includes access to resources, political stability, social cooperation, and cultural exchange. These elements combine and ignite, fueling the flames of progress and innovation.
But the metaphor suggests that the fuel for this fire is epiphenomenal, not the end goal itself, but rather a byproduct of the fire's growth and power. This means that the factors that fuel progress and advancement resulting from the growth and development of civilization, rather than the goal itself.
To tend this fire, we must nurture it with care, tending to the flames of progress and culture, and fanning them with art, science, and love. We must feed it with ideas and inspiration, promoting social and cultural exchange, and fostering cooperation and understanding.
In this fire, we find our light, a beacon of hope in the darkness. It warms our souls and lights our way, guiding us toward a brighter tomorrow. The fire of civilization is a powerful force that requires our constant attention and care. But if we tend it well, it will continue to burn bright, illuminating the world with its flames of progress and innovation.
Imagine an invasive species of sorts dominating the world through an experiential form of replication and adaptation. Sound familiar? This Promethean perversion is a Gestalt on the individual level, and, it's been argued, on the cultural level. Ubehim!
THE planksip Möbius: I would like to begin and end with a thought I first read in George Steiner's Grammars of Creation...
Peter Shaffer put it to Arnold Wesker:
furious, inchoate energy funneled through shape (and only so) reconstitutes itself as furious energy in the brains and psyches of its recipients. Reconstitutes itself because of you. The fire which started in the playwright’s head must get dimmer and dimmer as it grows in the communal imagination of an audience. Your job is to convey sacred flame in a vessel. You can say, looking at that vessel smoking on the stage: “How miserable. I have seen the Volcano, and all I caught is one wretched tongue of fire.” But that tongue properly placed and focused upon is the Volcano. Your power to concentrate fire for an audience will make them feel it, and be burned by it, even though they don’t know the volcano, and never can…. what one writes can detonate in a viewer’s head with the same resonance that it had when one first put it down on paper …
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Daniel Sanderson