Not the Bible this time.

The Open Society and its Enemies: Volume I (Plato) by my man, Karl P.

I first read this book when I was an exchange student in Finland at the age of 16. It's surprising how much of it has stuck with me and formed the basis of my political opinions. Anti-utopianism and piecemeal social engineering, a basic classic liberal philosophy. My conservative tendencies must have come from Burke, which I read later that same year.

Re-reading this criticism -- primarily a criticism of Plato's Republic -- has inspired me to actually read the Republic. But it's heavy going, not just because I have a crappy translation, but also because "Socrates" is such a jerk. It's a lucky thing that it's a paperback, because that way I can blow off steam by throwing it across the room. I've just gotten to the part where "Socrates" says that we'll need to make sure to suppress all the false stories about the gods (the ones where the gods fight or argue) and make sure they're never taught to the children. I don't understand how dunderheads like Shane W. can claim that Plato wasn't pro-totality when one of the first concerns in the organization of the ideal city is to censor childrens' stories.

Here's the link in case you're following along at home.

I'm only halfway through, but let me just say - Jesus Fuckin' Christ. I was reading the Exodus bit and it was all blah blah altar to burn incense on, blah blah composition of the holy oil, blah blah wash your feet blah. Then suddenly it stopped being Jehovah's blueprints for the priesthood and as they used to say in the Dukes of Hazzard, Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Jesse and the boys were gettin' in a whole mess of trouble. Or in this case, Aaron and the people of Israel, making a golden calf and worshipping it.

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