There is unrest in the forest,
There is trouble with the trees,
For the maples want more sunlight
And the oaks ignore their please.
The trouble with the maples,
(And they're quite convinced they're right)
They say the oaks are just too lofty
And they grab up all the light.
But the oaks can't help their feelings
If they like the way they're made.
And they wonder why the maples
Can't be happy in their shade.
There is trouble in the forest,
And the creatures all have fled,
As the maples scream "Oppression!"
And the oaks just shake their heads
So the maples formed a union
And demanded equal rights.
"The oaks are just too greedy;
We will make them give us light.
Now there's no more oak oppression,
For they passed a noble law,
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet, axe, and saw.
-The Trees, by Rush ( Hemispheres) 1987
Hi Plato,
As you say in Plato’s conception the guardians would be deemed being so solely on the basis of ‘merit’, which would have this employment of meritocracy to form the bases of both governance and general guidance. However it has always been a question for me what Plato thought ‘merit’ to be, that is as it is now mostly considered in the west or rather as it is thought of in the eastern conception.
I consider this important as I find if the former be the case, than ultimately the lie if revealed would be to find that the components of society have no compassion at all, yet strictly having all as self serving; although indiscernible with only the use of metrics. However if merit is held to be as in the eastern conception, then the lines between self and others blur to the point of having no meaning, in which case compassion born of empathy need not be an act dependant on a lie, yet one necessitated by truth.
The thing being that Plato as revealed in his writings never referenced to anything being known as the “noble lie” and therefore I find it interesting to wonder if he was simply the first ‘’ objectivist or rather did consider quality as being inseparable from good. With all I’ve read of him I’m almost certain it be the last to be true, as otherwise the rest of his teachings would become illogical and if nothing else I find him certainly to be logical.
Best,
Phil
On this day thoughts of our mothers come to mind, which lends a sense of gratitude for those who are responsible for each of us finding ourselves in the world; that in it holding so much meaning as to what is born out of a hopeful continuance of existence and purpose. So I would like to thank all the mothers of the world today, along with the one who has them best represented of all; being the Mother of Invention.
I so love spring, as with it comes the promise and demonstration of renewal. That as it marking the time for us to leave our fortresses of safety and solitude, as to venture out once again in search of the joy found only in discovery. It has often been reminded that hope springs eternal, yet so often forgotten that spring itself is the harbinger of hope, with having us all as its harvesters to benefit.
