As for the relationship between Plato and Aristotle (touched briefly in Rubenstein’s Aristotle’s Children), it’s been a classic battle between two fundamental choices, or so it has come down to us over the centuries. Plato is the founder of the Academy, inventor of the forms as we perceive them now: vague, perfect ideas existing somewhere out there which give shape to physical objects down here. Aristotle the pupil comes along and unites the two, thereby laying the framework for later philosophic and more importantly, scientific developments. This two-fold choice has affected the West, making an unfortunate division usually championing Aristotle over Plato. The later, while perceived as brilliant and extremely important, is inferred to be well-intentioned but wrong, requiring correction (Aristotle). That isn’t what I pick up when reading Plato in the original Greek as I’m doing right now with the Phaedo. An over-simplification, but many problems stem from translations and interpretations, especially of Plato. When you favor him over Aristotle, you’re almost open to criticism of being ideal, well meaning but misinformed. That’s where close study of Greek prepositions come into play (among other things such as proper understanding of terms), both by themselves and prefixed to verbs and nouns. On top of all this we have the Church’s use of both philosophers which is another story, really too much to get into here!

Today is the Big Day in Icelandic politics. Right now the time is a little after 9 am, early, but going out later on. More spectacular weather on store. Yesterday afternoon after work (got out at 3pm) I visited the Academy of Reykjavik, wanting to give the folks there a copy of some biblical and patristic software which they appreciated. However, I rushed it, wanting to get home before height of rush hour. In earlier entries I spoke often of driving habits here but haven’t recently. Perhaps a sign that I’ve gotten used to them. Still crazy as ever. I say a prayer each time before getting behind the wheel, even locally, which seems to be working. However, you never know…