Visualizing Political Theory One Recipe at a Time
Visualizing Political Theory One Recipe at a Time
Welcome to the Political Theory Cookbook. This blog presents an adaptation-for-home-use of the theories proposed by the Ancient and Modern Western Political theorists. It seeks to be both an illustration of and an online guide to political theory and a portal for public engagement. Current…
Francis Bacon was concerned about the variety of errors humans make that stand in the way of objective observation and scientific understanding. He argued that there are some false idols that one must avoid if the goal is to truly understand something. One false…
Polus: Is cooking an art? Socrates: I’d say yes Polus: What is art? Socrates: A form of expression. Polus: Then I ask you, what art is cookery ? Socrates: Then I reply, a certain habitude. Polus: Of what? Tell me. Socrates:Then I reply, of…
Welcome to the Political Theory Cookbook. This blog presents an adaptation-for-home-use of the theories proposed by the Ancient and Modern Western Political theorists. It seeks to be both an illustration of and an online guide to political theory and a portal for public engagement. Current…
Francis Bacon was concerned about the variety of errors humans make that stand in the way of objective observation and scientific understanding. He argued that there are some false idols that one must avoid if the goal is to truly understand something. One false…
Polus: Is cooking an art?
Socrates: I’d say yes
Polus: What is art?
Socrates: A form of expression.
Polus: Then I ask you, what art is cookery ?
Socrates: Then I reply, a certain habitude.
Polus: Of what? Tell me.
Socrates:Then I reply, of production of gratification and pleasure, Polus
Graves: But cookery can produce sensations other than gratification and pleasure, yes?Socrates: Such as?
Graves: Can cookery be used in ritual or to promote health and healing or to create potions for witchcraft?
Socrates: Indeed in can
Graves: And such cookery is not expected to gratify the palette nor are its expected effects simple pleasure. Other cookery, be it through magic or science, can be expected to have very negative effect, do you agree?
Socrates: Indeed it can.
Graves: For what else can cookery, say of hemlock do, Socrates?
Socrates: It can kill
Aristotle, student of Plato, instructor to Alexander the Great, philosopher, logician and scientist and one of the original political theorists. May we suggest as a starter Aristotle’s concept of necessary and sufficient conditions. Because he was Greek, this appetizer will be Greek. The appetizer we…