Libertarians, or “Aristotelian liberals”, have used Aristotle’s ideas to argue for liberty, despite the fact that he was not a libertarian. They have cited Aristotle’s observation of humanity’s unique capacity to exercise reason. Free, rational people obtain happiness through practicing virtue with others in a state that fosters their well-being, a basis for the libertarian... Continue Reading →
In Plato’s Republic, Socrates discusses the philosopher king, ruler of his ideal city state of Kallipolis. He is the best suited to protect the state’s laws and institutions, hence his other name of the guardian. The philosopher king is wise, austere, and just. He learns the true Forms and how to implement them in his... Continue Reading →
The pre-Socratics were the first philosophers in the West and possibly the world, living in the 500s - early 400s BC. They asked questions about the world and tried to answer them by applying human reason, knowledge, and science rather than mere myth. While some of their answers were wrong, the nature of their discourse... Continue Reading →
The classical Greeks are considered the founders of Western civilization, but what made them significant and set them apart from others? They were the first to think about thinking. They tried to understand the structure of the universe, and to master it using reason. They also posited absolute moral values for all people to follow.... Continue Reading →
St. Martin of Tours was one of the central saints of the medieval monastic tradition. He had been a soldier, monk, and then bishop of Tours in his lifetime. This essay argues that because Martin was portrayed as the exemplary miles Christi or warrior for Christ in his monastic biography, he was an ideal for... Continue Reading →
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