Aristo– is a word-forming element meaning “best,” or “of the aristocracy,” from Greek aristos “best of its kind, noblest, bravest, most virtuous”” (of persons, animals, things). In its Greek form, aristos denoted that which was excellent in kind, noble in bearing, virtuous in conduct. It was not yet the title of a class. The aristoi were thoseContinue reading “Elitism and Aristocracy”
Tag Archives: Plato
Rewind the Clock
Arnold Toynbee’s A Study of History is a 12-volume monster. I have read only the two-volume abridgement (many years past), which preserves Toynbee’s central thesis that there is a pattern to history. Civilizations rise and fall primarily in response to specific challenges; whatever those challenges are will be defining, and they must also be of the right pressure.Continue reading “Rewind the Clock”
Ideological Nightmares
Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is profoundly troubling me. While I am gladdened to see Western Europe galvanized against Russia and unified in economic sanctions, I still worry that it will not be sufficient. I worry that we could be witnessing a resurging war of ideology. Numerous intelligent scholars are dissecting Putin’s motives, but the fundamentalContinue reading “Ideological Nightmares”
Protective Arts 