The Philosopher's Shirt

Philosophical Dictionary

  • A large mixed flock of white and black goats grazing together on a sandy beach in Greece, with the Aegean Sea and a mountainous island behind them.

    Did Democracy Kill Socrates? The Trial Athens Never Explained

    By Markus Uehleke

    Socrates is the go-to proof that democracy can't be trusted: the wisest man in Athens, killed by a jury of ordinary citizens. The surviving sources tell a messier story, involving a bloody oligarchic coup, an amnesty nobody could mention in court, and a philosopher who defied both sides. So who really sentenced him?
  • The Parthenon's colonnade (with scaffolding) and the Erechtheion's Porch of the Caryatids on the Acropolis in Athens, with the city and coastline visible in the distance, July 2022. Photo: Markus, The Philosopher's Shirt.

    Greek Philosophy Before Socrates?: Meet the Presocratics!

    By Caroline Black

    Did philosophy exist before Socrates? You betcha! In this article we will discuss some of the philosophers who existed before that particular bearded guy, the Presocratics.
  • A detail from a painting, with Machiavelli, a man dressed in black, seated in a darkened room.

    Machiavelli’s The Prince: An Ethic Without a ‘Should’

    By Caroline Black

    Why do we call many of the most evil of political figures Machiavellian? Are there ethics when it comes to politics? Join us as we discuss the intricacies of Niccolo Machiavelli's OG self-help book for the ruling elite, The Prince.
  • Illustrated cross-section of Plato's cave allegory, showing chained prisoners facing shadow puppets of a vase, horse, and bird cast by firelight, with a figure escaping toward the cave entrance above.

    Plato's Cave Allegory: One Prisoner Is Dragged Out. Then He Goes Back.

    By Markus Uehleke

    Plato's Cave usually stops at 'enlightenment.' The real ending, from Republic Book VII, has a prisoner going blind twice and one exact line about killing anyone who tries to free the others. Here's what the Cave actually says about truth, education, and who gets punished for ending an illusion.
  • A painting of two old bearded men in a darkened room, the one on the right pointing to an open book in his hand.

    5 Reasons You Should Read Primary Sources, in No Particular Order

    By Caroline Black

    Let's discuss why you should be reading primary sources, and what benefit doing so can give you, outside of the classroom.
  • René Descartes in Santa suit working at desk in toy workshop with elves making toys

    We Are the Meme: A Christmas Whammy on the Nature of Love

    By Caroline Black

    We discuss love, loss, and "Last Christmas" in our newest article, in which we are the meme. Let's talk about classical definitions of love in our first holiday post of the year.