Why Read Plato and How to Begin

This was an impromptu discussion on X regarding my upcoming sequel to the discussions I’ve been providing on the relationship between philosophy and divine revelation in Modernity where the issue is how the rise of Modern science produced the joint fields of academic study known as “higher Biblical criticism” and “history” — particularly the way in which the latter (i.e., history) led to the rise of the Modern research university that defines everything of our world of today: its great successes and enormous failures. This discussion introduces the concept of “Enlightenment” which is the topic of the immediate sequel to my forthcoming release that broadens and deepens my two previous discussions on that topic.

The concept (i.e., “enlightenment”) is most recognizable to us today as a historical category of Modernity but, in this discussion, I explain how its properly understood as definitive of philosophy and, in particular, Platonic philosophy. From that recognition, I discuss what I believe is the best way to begin the study of Plato for those new to Plato and, perhaps, even new to philosophy itself. But, that said, always with an eye to the introductory students, I also provide a level of depth which one seldom finds in PhD level seminars on the topic. In other words, there is much for all in this discussion regardless of one’s background

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, due to radical nature of philosophy, this discussion quickly unfolds into the possibilities and limits of philosophy for (1) any and all theology and (2) flourishing political community

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