h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

it shows exactly has been going on in the world stage in the past 2 hundred years. it gives insight into what drives us.

it also shows that people with habits that the majority of society findes discusting can still make there point.

If you are refering to Plato, umm yes, sortof. The book both outlines the structure of a logical socialist society, and points out where it would go wrong, under the pretext of defining whether the just or unjust man is more happy. There are various points at which Plato was at best vague, and at worst blatently wrong. I'm not going to waste time with examples, it's too huge a discussion. However the book is very interesting as an incite into the beginnings of things like communism and into greek philosophy, and a nice read - it takes on the form of a debate between Socrates and his friends, which is unusual and often the paths of rhetoric the arguments take are very interesting..

Edd

plato got alot of the information right but he draws the wrong conclution. its deeply desturbing when you compair his summery of the downfall of a city to what has been hapening on the world stage since the french revolution

louis xvi - kings
napolion - timocracy
industialists - oligarcy
moderen democracys- democracy
tyranny - hasent happent yet but plato said it world be brought about by a leader who is constantly bringing the city to war, and useing the war as an excuse why you must follow him blindly (remind you of anyone?)

>useing the war as an excuse why you must follow him blindly (remind you of anyone?)

LOL yes a very good point actually

Edd

not quite the same direction this thread was going, but if you're interested in philosophy, Sophie's World is a great book. I'ts more of an introduction, but it explains all these theories really well, and brings up some really interesting stuff about conciousness (how so you spell that?), but it's in a story. i can't think of many details right now, i last read it a year or two ago.

yeah I know - I've never been tempted to read it though - looks to "girly" for me, and I'm not sure I want Plato explained to me...

Edd

i didn't think it was "girly" at all, although i understand tinking that from the cover. if you already have a good grip on plato, yay for you!, but it's mostly an introduction to the main ideas in the history of philosophy. the only pat on plato i remeber is about his "molds". it presents the ideas in a logical sequence, as a girl recieving a philosphy course in the mail by an eccentric old man, and then...gets extremely complicated. if you want to study philosophy in college, it's a great read before you start. i think it was written for high school students who dont get philosophy in school. i read it a few years ago, really should read it again. i really enjoyed it. sorry if this sounded a bit snippy, it really wasn't meant to, i just get a little humourless in talking or writing when i'm tired but everyone else is hilarious!