What a wonderful essay, Rebecca! Takes me back to college, when I read The Symposium. I had to read your piece it twice, not because it was unclear, but because its subject matter is complex. Your explanation of Diotima's ladder was illuminating; I never really got it before.
I loved the way you made it an essay about you and not just about Plato. What good is philosophy if it isn't breathed by specific human beings?
And of course, I listened to the song twice and will no doubt listen to it again. There's a lot to it. I'm not a musician, so I may be making a fool of myself for asking. Was it in a major key or a minor?
One piece of advice: if you are going to include the song lyrics, put them right below the video so the reader doesn't have to scroll down to see them.
Interesting how you point out the importance of the sky in Greek thought. Nietzsche said the dry climate of Athens and Jerusalem enabled the people who lived there to do great things. Plato was often N's foil, so there's probably more to it than that. Let's ask Peter.
Overall, I have to say that I love the way in which you mine the intersection of music and philosophy and you. I'm looking forward to more!
Thank you so much for taking the time to listen to my music, Kurt! The Symposium is one of those philosophical texts I return to from time to time, especially because it deals with love, which is a subject I view in a unique way. Plato's work helps me see if I'm getting it right or not :) I will definitely make note of your suggestion for the lyrics! Good call! I'm working on new original music to release on here in September, and I'm hoping readers enjoy the new compositions as well. Thank you for commenting, and I'm looking forward to spending some time reading your work this weekend!
I'm happy to see you finding inspiration in the work of my friend Michelle Marder Kamhi! You might also enjoy Alex Priou's recent book "Musings on Plato's Symposium". Personally I find it fascinating that Diotima was likely modelled on (or a codename for) Aspasia, the greatest female philosopher in ancient Greece.
I am absolutely loving her book! So cool that you two are friends! I discovered her work while enrolling in an arts and culture continuing education course and haven't been able to put the book down since ordering it. And I will definitely add Musings on Plato's Symposium to the list, thank you for the rec! The mystery behind Diotima is as intriguing as her inclusion in the Symposium. I have a feeling I'll be dedicating a good amount of time for the foreseeable future digging into her story, and the implications of her story across the Ancient Greek philosophical landscape. Thank you so much for reading!
Cool song - it reminds me a bit of Bryony Sier’s track ‘Babylon’. And love the Robert Payne quote about the otherworldly iridescence of the sunlight in Greece. So true! Love it over there.
Thank you so much for checking out the story! It's on my bucket list to visit Greece one day. It seems like a place like no other on this planet! I'll have to check out Sier's 'Babylon,' I have not heard it! Always looking for new music to check out :)
What a wonderful essay, Rebecca! Takes me back to college, when I read The Symposium. I had to read your piece it twice, not because it was unclear, but because its subject matter is complex. Your explanation of Diotima's ladder was illuminating; I never really got it before.
I loved the way you made it an essay about you and not just about Plato. What good is philosophy if it isn't breathed by specific human beings?
And of course, I listened to the song twice and will no doubt listen to it again. There's a lot to it. I'm not a musician, so I may be making a fool of myself for asking. Was it in a major key or a minor?
One piece of advice: if you are going to include the song lyrics, put them right below the video so the reader doesn't have to scroll down to see them.
Interesting how you point out the importance of the sky in Greek thought. Nietzsche said the dry climate of Athens and Jerusalem enabled the people who lived there to do great things. Plato was often N's foil, so there's probably more to it than that. Let's ask Peter.
Overall, I have to say that I love the way in which you mine the intersection of music and philosophy and you. I'm looking forward to more!
Thank you so much for taking the time to listen to my music, Kurt! The Symposium is one of those philosophical texts I return to from time to time, especially because it deals with love, which is a subject I view in a unique way. Plato's work helps me see if I'm getting it right or not :) I will definitely make note of your suggestion for the lyrics! Good call! I'm working on new original music to release on here in September, and I'm hoping readers enjoy the new compositions as well. Thank you for commenting, and I'm looking forward to spending some time reading your work this weekend!
I'm happy to see you finding inspiration in the work of my friend Michelle Marder Kamhi! You might also enjoy Alex Priou's recent book "Musings on Plato's Symposium". Personally I find it fascinating that Diotima was likely modelled on (or a codename for) Aspasia, the greatest female philosopher in ancient Greece.
I am absolutely loving her book! So cool that you two are friends! I discovered her work while enrolling in an arts and culture continuing education course and haven't been able to put the book down since ordering it. And I will definitely add Musings on Plato's Symposium to the list, thank you for the rec! The mystery behind Diotima is as intriguing as her inclusion in the Symposium. I have a feeling I'll be dedicating a good amount of time for the foreseeable future digging into her story, and the implications of her story across the Ancient Greek philosophical landscape. Thank you so much for reading!
Cool song - it reminds me a bit of Bryony Sier’s track ‘Babylon’. And love the Robert Payne quote about the otherworldly iridescence of the sunlight in Greece. So true! Love it over there.
Thank you so much for checking out the story! It's on my bucket list to visit Greece one day. It seems like a place like no other on this planet! I'll have to check out Sier's 'Babylon,' I have not heard it! Always looking for new music to check out :)