RE: Reason and Emotion: The Children of Desire - Part I
First, let me say how much I'm looking forward to this series. You're covering some extremely fascinating stuff here and I can't wait to read from your perspective on the subject matter.
I like your approach to Platos allegory of the cave. I like the idea that the "true world" is something that can be accessed by a means of perception. The majority of us undoubtedly live in the cave, which is also accused by your perception. Depending on how you see the world, as well as yourself in relation to the world, determines whether or not you reside inside or outside of the cave.
In regards to the analogy of the chariot and the two horses (read more on "thumos" if you haven't already) it's absolutely paramount to give balance to the two forces (passion and reason) pulling the driver (you) in order to move forward successfully.
Allow passion to pace ahead too far and you risk losing yourself to unbridled creative energy, which can prove to be deadly in its explosiveness and unpredictability.
The same is true for allowing reason to take too much of a lead. If you do, you run the risk of becoming to cautious and never taking opportunity when it is presented to you, becoming stagnant.
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Again, very much looking forward to your future work!
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Hey thanks for such an in depth reply!
So looking at it from the perspective you've presented, we understand that Plato insists upon the existence of an objective reality apart from perception and aims to live as closely in accordance with that objective reality as possible.
But consider a fixed object in space, a sphere for simplicity.
The sphere is the "objective" reality, without the presence of an observer. But this begs the question "from what angle is the sphere 'most' objective? From what position? From what point in space? etc.."
and if you add in the perspective of the observer, the sphere may still look from one point as it would from any other point, but what is to say that that "sphere" from any point or angel is the true objective reality?
I suppose the point I'm trying to make is this: Because we exist as observers of our reality, even if there is a fundamental objective reality, it must first pass through the filter of the observer to gain any form of relevance. And simply by being observed, it loses its complete and total objectivity.
Would love to hear your thoughts on this.
Thanks for reading!
I will say that though Plato probably agrees with your interpretation - that reason is more of the "you" in the chariot metaphor - I don't necessarily see it that way. Who/what "you" are is a slightly different topic than this current exploration will cover; but as far as the chariot metaphor goes, I think the reality is closer to Desire being the driver, with Reason and Emotion acting as the horses.
I think I have to agree with you here as well, as desire runs more closely to instinct than reason does.
I think reason is what keeps us from being a slave to our desires and impulses. It's the higher voice within us that can look at what our monkey brain has to suggest and say "hey, that might not be such a good idea."
In regards to if it is "you"or not, within the context of what we are comparing I would say desire is much closer, but our desires are not "us" fundamentally.
But, of course, if we knew what "I" and "you" really mean, philosophy wouldn't even exist!