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  #1  
Old 07-05-2004, 04:16 AM
Default Campbell's Hero's Journey
One of his insights that I particularly found instructive is the Hero's Journey. The intellectual leaving of the familiar to seek what is yet unknown and the return to others with the bounty of insight and wisdom that has been attained


Actually, this is similar to what Plato required of those who left the metaphorical cave of ignorance and finally were able to perceive the light or reality. That once having emerged from ignorance into the light it became their moral duty to return voluntarily to those still within the cave in order to help those who still believed the shadows to be the reality.

Both Socrates and Plato lived the Hero's Journey as do all true philosophers and other great thinkers.
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  #2  
Old 07-05-2004, 05:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Radrook
Actually, this is similar to what Plato required of those who left the metaphorical cave of ignorance and finally were able to perceive the light or reality. That once having emerged from ignorance into the light it became their moral duty to return voluntarily to those still within the cave in order to help those who still believed the shadows to be the reality.
That's supposed to be how it works anyway, but that doesn't guarantee people will embrace you with open arms. Many will prefer to remain in the dark.

Neither would they embrace Jesus in his own country, because they couldn't get past the idea of him being so and so's son from down the street ...

Quote:
53 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.

54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?

57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.

58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. ~ Matthew 13:53-58
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So when the body dies, and consciousness departs, where do "we" go? ... Off to define another "reality" perhaps?
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  #3  
Old 07-06-2004, 07:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Iacchus32
That's supposed to be how it works anyway, but that doesn't guarantee people will embrace you with open arms. Many will prefer to remain in the dark.

Neither would they embrace Jesus in his own country, because they couldn't get past the idea of him being so and so's son from down the street ...

Socrates is often called the Philosophical martyr due to his trial and execution by those which Plato would have and probably considered denizens of the cave of ignorance. The difference between Socrates and Jesus in reference to the cave dwellers is that Jesus voluntarily came to be killed by the denizens of the cave.

In contrast, Socrates did not have that mission. Martyrdom came upon him and he faced it with admirable equanimity. But his mission had been to enlighten, not to give his life. Though he did consider giving his life as part of his enlightening mission since taking advantage of the escape offered to him by his friends would have meant denial of all he had taught and lived for- and therefore a defeat.
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  #4  
Old 07-17-2004, 09:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Radrook
In contrast, Socrates did not have that mission. Martyrdom came upon him and he faced it with admirable equanimity. But his mission had been to enlighten, not to give his life. Though he did consider giving his life as part of his enlightening mission since taking advantage of the escape offered to him by his friends would have meant denial of all he had taught and lived for- and therefore a defeat.
So it pretty much comes out to the same thing, however. Certainly Christ's mission was to enlighten us. While the same thing could be held for Mahatmas Ghandi, and yet, Ghandi was offered up on the alter of sacrifice as well. So, perhaps the key here is to try and live our lives for the sake of enlightenment, and maintain a full life, rather than look to martyrdom as an end. Thus making it much less complicated, and perhaps even less painful, when the time comes.
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So when the body dies, and consciousness departs, where do "we" go? ... Off to define another "reality" perhaps?
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