Good Cities, Good Citizens, and Good People (Revolutionary Aristotelianism Part 3)

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by W.D. James A modern-day warriorMean, mean strideToday's Tom SawyerMean, mean pride Though his mind is not for rentDon't put him down as arrogantHis reserve a quiet defenseRiding out the day's eventsi - Rush, Tom Sawyer Aristotle had begun his Politics with the assertion that human activity is aimed at what is at least perceived … Continue reading Good Cities, Good Citizens, and Good People (Revolutionary Aristotelianism Part 3)

The Coming to Be of Society (Revolutionary Aristotelianism, Part 2)

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by W.D. James We sang the songs of childhoodHymns of faith that made us strongOnes that Mother Maybelle taught usHear the angels sing alongi - Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Roy Acuff’s lyrical adaptation For the duration of the classical period, the Greek philosophers were able to retain a marvelous appreciation for the bare fact … Continue reading The Coming to Be of Society (Revolutionary Aristotelianism, Part 2)

Goods, Desire, and Community (Revolutionary Aristotelianism Part 1)

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by W.D. James He say I know you, you know meOne thing I can tell you is you got to be free Come together, right now, over mei - The Beatles The Organic Radicalii school of thought hinges on the possibility of an organic social order which, in turn, provides the basis and motivation for … Continue reading Goods, Desire, and Community (Revolutionary Aristotelianism Part 1)

Poetically Dwells Man: Heidegger and Spiritual Rebirth

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by W.D. James …poetically dwells man upon this earth.                            -Friedrich Hölderlin as quoted by Martin Heidegger What if the gods returned? Martin Heidegger (1889-1976) spent more time than most pondering that and related questions. His thought is notoriously (and justly) considered extremely obscure and dense. Yet, there is no one more important to read … Continue reading Poetically Dwells Man: Heidegger and Spiritual Rebirth

Martin Luther King, Tyranny, and Natural Law

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by W.D. James On April 3, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr., with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and other civil rights organizations, commenced a planned campaign of civil disobedience aimed at targeting the segregation laws operative in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. The campaign would include lunch counter sit-ins, marches, and a boycott of downtown businesses. … Continue reading Martin Luther King, Tyranny, and Natural Law

Forest Rebels (Deep Resistance Part 6)

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The final essay in a six-part series by W.D. James, who teaches philosophy in Kentucky, USA. Where have all the rebels gone? Hiding behind computer screens Where’s the spirit, where’s the soul? Where have all the rebels gone? Why don’t they come out of the woodwork now? One for the money, two for the show … Continue reading Forest Rebels (Deep Resistance Part 6)

Nature, Freedom, and Joy (Deep Resistance Part 5)

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The penultimate essay in a six-part series by W.D. James, who teaches philosophy in Kentucky, USA. Fish in the sea, you know how I feelRiver running free, you know how I feelBlossom on the tree, you know how I feel It's a new dawnIt's a new dayIt's a new life, for meAnd I'm feeling good … Continue reading Nature, Freedom, and Joy (Deep Resistance Part 5)

Stoic Freedom (Deep Resistance Part 4)

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The latest essay in a six-part series by W.D. James, who teaches philosophy in Kentucky, USA. Life can be so easyLife can be so hardMake you wanna cuss and fussMake you wanna tear things all apartYou try to stay calm and not act a fool – Cedric Burnside, Hard to Stay Cooli Epictetus (roughly 50-135 … Continue reading Stoic Freedom (Deep Resistance Part 4)

Dogs Bark (Deep Resistance Part 3)

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The latest essay in a six-part series by W.D. James, who teaches philosophy in Kentucky, USA. Hear this dog bark Watch the trees sway Keep the candle burning Both night and day Many invade I take no quarter This is my land I’ll never surrender I’m a warriori – John Lydon, Public Image Limited (PiL), … Continue reading Dogs Bark (Deep Resistance Part 3)

Dog Wisdom (Deep Resistance Part 2)

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The second essay in a six-part series by W.D. James, who teaches philosophy in Kentucky, USA. Money can't buy back your youth when you're oldOr a friend when you're lonely or a love that's grown coldThe wealthiest person is a pauper at timesCompared to the man with a satisfied mindi – Johnny Cash, Satisfied Mind … Continue reading Dog Wisdom (Deep Resistance Part 2)