Zen and Socrates

Such people have been traditionally referred to in the West as philosophers or wise men, while in the east they are known as masters or teachers. But whereas Western culture since the Enlightenment has been primarily rationalist, in keeping with the dominance of science in the material realm,

it has always had a distinctly hostile and ignorant attitude towards even the possibility of human enlightenment, let alone a widespread respect for people who reject the conventions of modern capitalist/nationalistic/consumer/mediated life in preference for ethical, spiritual, cultural, or intellectual

It is interesting to learn that Socrates rejected the democracy that condemned him to death only slightly less than the tyranny that preceded it, and believed that only a society governed by philosophers could help humanity reach its full potential for the good. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socrates) .

In a country where the virtues of a deeply flawed and corrupt democracy are reflexively and sanctimoniously intoned from all sides, it is refreshing to imagine that a being as exalted as Socrates would have been as critical of modern America as he was of ancient Athens.

. . .
Some common words found in the essay are:
Zen Socrates, American Vietcong, Zen Buddhism, Bible Koran, God Zen, Plato's Apology, Jaspers Socrates, Fourth July, Neither Socrates, zen socrates, ancient athens, practice meditation, modern america, painful process,
Approximate Word count = 1100
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page)

More Essays on Zen and Socrates