The Wes Cecil Podcast

Other than our concept of Romantic Love, Body Soul Split, Self-Improvement and Truth, Plato really has had no influence at all . . . I mean, Plato is just everywhere - I mean EVERYWHERE!Sign-up for Wes’s PATREON to get your questions answered by Wes!Plus, gain access to course materials, reading lists, bonus lectures, and Wes’s weekly diaries from France. Only $2 / month.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wes and Jeremy take questions from PATREON members on Plato's Symposium Lectures 4-11Sign-up for Wes’s PATREON to get your questions answered by Wes!Plus, gain access to course materials, reading lists, bonus lectures, and Wes’s weekly diaries from France. Only $2 / month.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The podcast explores the evolution of human thought, tracing its roots from primitive tool use to the complexities of philosophical inquiry. It delves into the timeless themes found in the Epic of Gilgamesh, particularly the quest for immortality and the acceptance of life’s fleeting joys. Listeners are invited to reflect on how philosophical questions influence personal growth and civilization's development. The discussion underscores the importance of questioning existence, mortality, and what it means to be human.

The influence of Plato grows from the repeated introduction of Platonic ideas into Catholicism, Calvinism, Humanism, Romanacism, Enlightenment thought and even Scientific Rationalism. Platonic ideals surround us in so many ways it is difficult to actually narrow our focus to a few key points.Sign-up for Wes’s PATREON to get your questions answered by Wes!Plus, gain access to course materials, reading lists, bonus lectures, and Wes’s weekly diaries from France. Only $2 / month.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wes and Jeremy take questions from Patreon members on Plato's Symposium, Lectures 1 - 4Sign-up for Wes’s PATREON to get your questions answered by Wes!Plus, gain access to course materials, reading lists, bonus lectures, and Wes’s weekly diaries from France. Only $2 / month.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore how Taoism contrasts with Western ideals, advocating for harmony with the universe instead of succumbing to stress. Discover the beauty of embracing life’s fluidity and simplicity, rather than chasing definitive answers. Learn the importance of reducing excess to truly enjoy life and redefining success as personal contentment rather than societal approval. Finally, delve into a perspective that celebrates abundance and joy, encouraging a more positive outlook amidst societal pressures.

Enter Alcibiades - seemingly disrupting the entire structure of Plato’s dialogue, he actually works to underscore the power and truth of Socrates’ argument without ever actually engaging with the claims Socrates has made. We see and hear the quality of Socrates as a person rather than engage with the rationality of his thought. A masterclass in using misdirection and action to make arguments that would be impossible to support or articulate more directly. Sign-up for Wes’s PATREON to get your questions answered by Wes!Plus, gain access to course materials, reading lists, bonus lectures, and Wes’s weekly diaries from France. Only $2 / month.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Confused by today's rapidly changing world? The discussion explores the need for new values to regain peace. Metaphors of primates and sailors illustrate letting go of the past. The impact of historical milestones, like Brown v. Board and the moon landing, is examined. Cultural shifts from Roe v. Wade to the LGBTQ rights movement highlight ongoing social transformations. Delving into personal standards, listeners are urged to judge values from within. Courage and self-acceptance are keys to navigating a world where traditional narratives are crumbling.

Wow, after all the build up, Socrates - through the voice of Diotima - delivers a truly radical conception of the nature of love. That it might lead us to personal divinity is perhaps the single most powerful in this section of the dialogue.Sign-up for Wes’s PATREON to get your questions answered by Wes!Plus, gain access to course materials, reading lists, bonus lectures, and Wes’s weekly diaries from France. Only $2 / month.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thanks for the questions and comments. A quick follow up to techno feudalism exploring some of the ideas in a little more depth and clarity - at least hopefully.Sign-up for Wes’s PATREON to get your questions answered by Wes!Plus, gain access to course materials, reading lists, bonus lectures, and Wes’s weekly diaries from France. Only $2 / month.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.