(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVnSFj6XQZY)

While looking through the reading I had a few questions that I thought would be interesting as discussion questions. I also wanted to post a song for the day as I felt it fit with the tradition of the Benedictine Abbey using music in prayer & chant derived, in part, from Gregorian Chanting.

The song chosen was ‘Reborn’ by Colin Stetson from the film Hereditary. The song has many different calming notes with some Gregorian Chanting featured in the track.

I also wanted to discuss the concept of ‘justice as currency’, a theme that seems prevalent in the readings we have had (especially in ‘The Republic’) and now with the concepts of sustainability and living consciously of the earth with those of the Benedictine Abbey of Christ in the Desert. Does justice work as a currency to motivate those in a utopia to continue operating calmly and legally? Would we still operate justly if it did not mean that we would receive recognition? Would we still be the best people that we could be without a type of ‘recognition’? (‘Recognition’ in this case could be community, career, or esteem).

Would we live justly if there was nothing to gain from it? Are we innately just? If we aren’t, how does injustice happen?

Some of my questions are pretty heavy and obviously they can’t be solved within one class sitting, but I loved reading about the lifestyle and commitments of those in the Benedictine Abbey who have wholeheartedly pledged themselves to a beautiful (and sustainable) cause that hurts no one and benefits the Earth.

How to deal with Socrates

434b & 434c

I was wondering if these two passages apply to Trump and his presidency and even to Reagan too because he, like Trump, was an entertainer in media before he became President (though I don't know if the same things were said about him as they are about Trump). Plato's Socrates says "that these exchanges and this sort of meddling bring the city to ruin" (434b) and what made me relate this to Trump was when Socrates was describing the kind of person who would do this meddling as  "someone... who... is puffed up by wealth" (434c). So, would this apply to Trump's presidency because he thinks he can do/say anything he wants because he's rich or, because our society values being able to change the individuals status (American Dream and all that jazz), does it not apply?

"Getting down to the tough questions... are farmers happier then potters?!?" : Discussion Question (s) ; Plato, The Republic: BK IV

Greetings people of Earth and inhabitants of DR. M-B's "Utopia" class. I found book IV to be full of too many ideas interesting to just ask one discussion question, so I’m cheating and asking two, (which is a compromise because I have 3-4 at least). 

When I read the quote, "we aren't aiming to make any one group outstandingly happy, but to make the whole city so, as far as possible", my mind immediately thought of Bentham, and Utilitarianism. I thought that was the path book IV was leading me down, but Socrates and Adeimantus from my understanding were talking about something slightly different. From my understanding (which could definitely be off), decisions regarding the treatment of groups, - potters, farmers, ect., - should be based off of accordance to groups, rather than fairness among groups. I personally believe they were on to something, as they recognized that they simply cannot make all happy in the same way. I believe the goal of their logic was to provide each group with fulfillment. But my question is, are there different types of happiness among these groups, and are there more fulfilling types of happiness that create disparities in their society? In other words, when a farmer farms land does he or she feel more complete then when a potter molds clay, or is their sense of purpose and subsequent sense of fulfillment equal? (This highlights a problem I have with group identities in general, but I’m sure we’ll get to that another time).

My second question is much more simple. I found the idea that both poverty and wealth corrupt a craftsman to be a really interesting concept. I don’t quite have an opinion; I just want to know what you think? Do both poverty and wealth corrupt a craftsman??

A Bedtime Poem by Joseph Goebbels

Listen up, children
Gather 'round before bed
And listen to a tale
Of what Fascistates said

He was old and wise
And lived in Greece
A beautiful homeland
Oh, so nice and neat!

He laid out the rules
That we all should follow
For a happy today
And a better tomorrow

For we all have a role
A part in this play
Our paradise is near
So listen what I say

To you, my son
Grow up and get stronger
A guardian of country
Of father and mother

Do not cry, do not hesitate
Do not fear death
Do not question your leader
Do not read the wrong texts

Ah, kindness and niceness
Blue eyes and niceness
Goodness and niceness
And la-dee-da niceness

To you, my daughter
Be a sweet and sure mother
If you cry, weep for country
For the strife it endures!

Do not fight, do not struggle
Do not exit your bubble
Do not question your husband
Do not ask for trouble

Ah, kindness and goodness
Blond hair and goodness
Wonder and goodness
And la-la-la goodness

So worry not
Of what all this means
Leave that to the ministers
Who worry for you

They give you a country
Of culture and art
Of pure people popping out
Of homes and of marts

They each have their purpose
Like me and like you
To build a utopia
As the Greeks sought to

No, these are not falsehoods
They're truthhoods, it's true
And falsehoods are no good
If the Führer needs you!