Moral Life in Socrates’ Ethical Intellectualism

Sheldon Ives G. Agaton Eastern Visayas State University [email protected]

Abstract

A moral life is indispensable to every human person. In the present day society where morality may vary from one understanding to another, there is a risk that its conception may be misconstrued by certain individuals. It is important in order for man to have a better understanding of what a moral life should be. A person who possesses a significant understanding of a moral theory like the Socratic ethics will have an underlying ethical foundation essential in facing situations that threaten his moral standards and beliefs. It is a fact that culture may play a role in the consideration of morality for a particular society, but this paper will focus on the individual person’s concept of morality as taught by Socrates. Ethical Intellectualism is a standard of morality that may be imbibed and applied by the human person. It is an ancient method that can still hold true until today. This paper is an interpretation Socrates’ Ethical Intellectualism regarding a moral person side by side with every individual person’s ideal state of moral life.

Keywords: Socrates, Ethical Doctrine, Moral Life, Wisdom, Virtue, Ethical Intellectualism

1.0 Introduction what is evil and such nature is inclined to do what is always good (Plato, Protagoras, Socrates was one of the more 1956). From this standpoint, Socrates was prominent figures in the history of regarded by his students and listeners philosophy. He never wrote a single article especially the youth as an undisputed yet his mark and influence in the field of champion in the field of philosophy and philosophy is manifested and perpetuated ethics in particular. This is beside the fact in the writings of his student Plato. Socrates that even with such great impact on his was a highly respected teacher chiefly audience, he was charged of corrupting the interested in helping men become good youth through his teachings, and eventually (Moore, 1980). His philosophical focal point put to death for such. The hostile mind was on the concept of ethics and ethical toward Socrates crystallized and took standards. He believed that man by nature juridical form in the accusation formulated is good because he continually seeks what against him by Meletus, Anytus, and Lycon: is good and will not deliberately perform of corrupting the youth, denying the

2017 Agaton 51 national gods, and introducing new ones in profound interpretation of the Socratic their stead (Corpuz, Dela Cruz, Estoque, & ethics will be presented that the present Tabotabo, 2007). generation will still grasp the doctrine as Ethics teaches man to do what is relevant despite its antiquity. In this right and to refrain what is evil. Every Socratic ethics, real personal conviction person is expected to be virtuous and towards life and its challenges is a trustworthy, although in reality there are necessary element for man to dispel or those who elect to do the opposite. And even just regulate things that might cause since moral integrity as attested by people his errors. It is an ancient philosophical is the true measure of man’s greatness, doctrine which can still be used today for some philosophers regard ethics as “the man to possess a moral kind of life. There only necessary knowledge” (Agapay, 2010). have been numerous ethical principles This contention has a strong degree of throughout history pushed by various veracity not undermining other bodies of intellectuals in the field of philosophy which knowledge which are also vital in the are in their own respective rights present day society. It is true that the world acceptable to the people. Personal biases needs all these kinds of knowledge to would come in that what they teach is the survive, perpetuate, compete and even best while the other competing doctrines manipulate. However, without the are inadequate. The dialectic of Hegel is association of ethics to man’s life, the also an avenue to create or modify society and the entire world is at a risk of preceding ethical principles or doctrines in losing and destructing. Conversely, if ethics order to arrive at a better formula. will be at the forefront of all these Nevertheless, this paper believes that this intellectual endeavors, a better and Socratic doctrine is still relevant up to this peaceful world might just become a reality. point and human beings can still avail of this Living a moral life is undoubtedly in order to live a moral life. This ancient necessary not just during the time of moral theory tries to provide a reflective Socrates but even until today. There is no account of an essential human activity so substitute for exercising proper virtues one can grasp what is of fundamental because the constant practice of them will importance in pursuing it (Parry, 2014). This end up the ideal man as Socrates has ancient theory can be an avenue for an suggested. Good human relations and individual to discern what would be good or peaceful societies can be attained with the evil and eventually establish a solid moral exercise of virtues like prudence, justice, life. fortitude and temperance. Since morality is The advent and strengthening of constantly under questions today among science and technology have virtually individuals, groups, and academes, a revisit altered the notion of morality. The internet to an age old viewpoint postulated by an has caused so much cultural diversity which ancient philosopher might be needed in has changed a lot of practices in a country order to clarify certain aspects of morality like the Philippines. vital to living a moral life. In this paper, the contention is firm Social change is more often holding the ground of Socrates Ethical welcomed by societies. Modernity Intellectualism in relation to a moral life. A is linked to the idea of progress

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(moving forward), a state of degradation of the norms of morality. continued improvement. However, Culture is not static, it keeps on changing change in terms of progress from time to time through practice (Corpuz, depends on our underlying values. Dela Cruz, Estoque, & Tabotabo, 2007). The But such affluence, to an extent, utilitarian orientation of the greatest good has increased our materialism at of the greatest number of people would the expense of spiritual life come into play in this regard that for as long (Panopio & Raymundo, 2015). as a great number of people are doing it, and that they are continually doing it, then In our country for instance, as time passes by, it becomes acceptable to conservatism was one of the cherished the society. It conceives of an idea of tacit practices where the typical Maria Clara was approval among men that no matter how looked up to and considered as the ideal bad, for as long as a great number of people woman. But as time went by, this notion of are doing it, it is good and useful. a conservative woman has slowly deteriorated. Today, emerging patterns The doctrine that the basis of include mate selection on the basis of morals is utility, or the greatest freedom of choice. Sex norms have happiness principle, holds that changed. Young girls openly call up boys or actions are right in proportion as take the initiative of inviting the boy out they tend to promote happiness, (Panopio & Raymundo, 2015). The wrong in proportion as they tend recognition of the works of science experts to produce the reverse of as the source of knowledge has taken its happiness. By ‘happiness’ is meant course in the minds of people while giving pleasure and the absence of pain; less attention to emotions and intuitions by ‘unhappiness’ is meant pain and (Panopio & Raymundo, 2015). The human the lack of pleasure (Mill, 1863). person as well as social groups and organizations are under attack with the rise Felonious acts like graft and of science and technology. Cloning is corruption, bribery, rape, murder, robbery, another upshot of this phenomenon where proliferation of drugs and many others are moralists would like to suppress. Despite undoubtedly existent in all countries as this opposition from some groups in the society, world is an imperfect one. Even first world scientists still pursue this undertaking that countries have a share of criminal activities such is good for humanity. of their own. They may have the most Several contemporary bioethical sophisticated weapons and intelligence issues like suicide, capital punishment, firms that man could ever imagine, just the surrogacy, euthanasia, mutilation among same crimes are continuously committed, others are also making signals to the human and sometimes criminals are a step better society. Some persons would view these as than the law enforcement units. The not so personal convenience or retribution for rich countries are not spared from such man to live comfortably. These issues are activities. In fact some of these countries manifest in several countries whether they are criticized for having a slow justice are superpowers or the lesser ones. Cultural system and those laws are just good in so degradation might be the cause of the far as they are written but not as to their

2017 Agaton 53 implementation. In Canada for instance, a voluntariness existent. Otherwise, he shall study shows that it needs an overhauling in be inculpable for acts that he does as such the justice system in areas like solving are impaired in the absence of one of the crimes, excessive delays, and even support three or two of the three. If someone or to victims. Groundbreaking new statistical something has to change in order to research confirms the Supreme Court of diminish if not eliminate immoral or evil Canada’s recent warnings that the nation’s acts in the society, it has to be man himself $11-billion criminal justice system is riddled who should be convinced of imbibing this with unnecessary delays, inefficient real personal conviction (Copleston, 1993). practices and inadequate resources Socrates states: (MacLeod, 2016). The Philippines is not spared from this setback as the country has Men of Athens, I honor and love one of the slowest justice systems in the you; but I shall obey God rather world. The country’s courts are clogged, than you, and while I have a life and little has been done to ease the and strength I shall never cease bottleneck. Meanwhile, new cases are from practice and teaching of added to the ones that have been pending, philosophy, exhorting any one while the country maintains the same whom I meet after my manner, judicial structure that plods along, and convincing him saying: O my seemingly with no sense of urgency friend, why do you, who are a (Editorial, 2013). citizen of the great and mighty and Pride, anger, lust, envy, drunkenness wise city of Athens, care so much and the others continue to downgrade man about laying up the greatest and his perception of morality. Man amount of money and honor and understandably is an animal. Pleasures of reputation, and so little about life are inevitable as these are appealing to wisdom and truth and the greatest the flesh. But not to be undermined is improvement of the soul, which man’s rationality. He is not dictated by his you never regard or heed at all? mere instinct but reason as it makes him For I do nothing but to go about different from brutes. Reason should persuading you all, old and young overrule the dictates of his senses for him alike, not to take thought for your not to fall into the trap of pleasurable persons or properties, but first and incentives. Temperance as Plato teaches is a chiefly to care about the greatest virtue that controls the pleasures of life, improvement of the soul. I tell you and man is fully aware of it. that virtue is not given by money, These gargantuan concerns boil but that from virtue come money down to man as the agent of activities in all and every other good of man, societies. If there is someone to be blamed, public as well as private (Plato, The it has to be man himself. Human acts Republic and Other Works, 1989). emanate from man himself with deliberateness. A person in the possession The next succeeding sections will of his right senses is culpable for every act postulate on the concept of Ethical that he performs with the three constituent Intellectualism of Socrates. A profound elements of knowledge, freedom and discussion of it derived from several

54 Recoletos Multidisciplinary Research Journal June philosophic minds like Plato and many and other frailties are evident. From others will be utilized. Both Filipino and families, social groups, friendships, foreign authors are credited for translating corporations, man continually does wrong. and interpreting Socratic principles so that a Lest it be forgotten that man is not just better discussion is arrived. From there, rational but also animal, hence prone to fail another section will be dedicated to apply with the invitations of his sensient nature. this Socratic doctrine to man on how he is For Socrates, these failures that man going to live a moral life. commits are real and attributable to ignorance rather than moral weakness. Socrates’ Ethical Intellectualism Man lacks the knowledge that he needs to Knowledge and virtue are identical. possess in order to dispel the evil effects of This is the foundation of Socratic ethics ignorance. He may have in him a certain whereby he believes that these two degree of knowledge but it may be wanting concepts are identical and are that he still continues to commit bad interchangeable. When a person is wise, he actions. It has also been suggested that will in as much as he could enrich himself when Socrates identified virtue with with virtue. When he is virtuous, he will knowledge or wisdom he had in mind not only try to gain something which can enrich any sort of knowledge but a real personal his wisdom. A wise person in the Socratic conviction (Copleston, 1993). sense will only do things which are virtuous At this point, it is necessary to stress because he is fully aware that such is good what the real notion of real personal and to be performed, and he will never do conviction is. Man seeks happiness and things which are evil because he sees it as such can be achieved by taking things which such and it has to be avoided. Man being a can make him happy. The consumption of moral creature, endowed with conscience, food makes man happy. In fact, food is a is capable of discerning whether the act to need whereby absence of which may lead be performed is either good or evil. Indeed man to his demise. However, the only knowledge can lead to virtue; when a overconsumption of it or gluttony for that man is ignorant, his personality is matter may endanger his health as a disorganized, for the unruly desires and number of sickness related to food is passions then control him. By contrast, already evident in the medical world. He when a man truly knows what is good, i.e., may achieve happiness by eating but if it is when he knows what promotes harmony, not regulated properly, it may lead to he will do what is good. Hence, it is the unhappiness on his part. Besides, man virtuous man, i.e., the rational man who is being rational is fully aware that too much truly happy (Albert, Denise, & Peterfreund, food may cause his health degradation. In 1969). this regard, Socrates talks of real personal However, this “ethical conviction that if man only has that firm intellectualism” seems at first sight to be in belief that bad things lead to unhappy life, blatant contradiction with the facts of he will never contract them (Plato, everyday life (Copleston, 1993). It is Protagoras, 1956). In his wise mind, he will undeniable that man sometimes commits ignore them. His rational nature must be mistakes from time to time. In the society, supplanted with the real notion of wisdom. human errors like crimes, misdemeanors

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For Socrates, the acquisition of knowledge which is in him may be wisdom is a life-long process. Wisdom and overmastered by anger, or virtue are not automatically vested during pleasure, or pain, or love, or conception of human beings. But they are perhaps by fear-just as if taught in a process and as he lives his day to knowledge were nothing but a day convictions. This is what Socrates did slave and might be dragged about towards his listeners. In his dialectic by all these other things. Now, is method, he would ask a question to the that your view? Or do you think audience and would allow them to talk and that knowledge is a noble thing, deduce from them their knowledge of the and fit to command in man, which subject matter at hand. Errors were allowed cannot be overcome, or will not but were not tolerated as he would allow a man, if he only knows the supplant towards his listeners the real good and the evil, to do anything concept of the subject matter thrown at the which is contrary to what his table. As a rational creature, man should knowledge bids him do, but that take advantage of this faculty by enriching wisdom will have strength to help himself with wisdom and virtue as these him? (Plato, Protagoras, 1956) two will lead him to the highest good and eventually to his ultimate happiness. Socratic intellectualism posits of two Therefore, the more a man knows the features namely the heroic aspect and greater his ability to reason out the correct intellectualism. In the first aspect, Socrates choice and to choose those actions, which considers morals above all things. The idea truly bring happiness to him (Corpuz, Dela of justice for instance cannot only be Cruz, Estoque, & Tabotabo, 2007). limited only to the distinction between Man is inclined to do good. what just and unjust but covers a wide Committing error is going against his will. range of activities like not betraying a friend To deliberately commit an error is nor robbing a house. Violating the rights of something that goes against the rational another person is a grave injustice. nature of man. Wisdom and knowledge are Cheating in its various forms is another kind the mightiest of human things says of injustice. He taught that one would Protagoras in response to Socrates. rather lose his life than commit a bad deed. During his trial, he emphasized this Uncover your mind to me, conviction. The idea of escaping from prison Protagoras, and reveal your in order to evade the death sentence would attitude toward knowledge, that I still depend on whether the act of escaping may know whether or not you prison is a just or an unjust act (Parry, agree with the rest of the world. 2014). Now the rest of the world are of The second feature highlights on opinion that knowledge is not a intellectualism. No one wills towards powerful, lordly, commanding something that is bad or be in a bad thing; they do not think of it as situation. Apparently, some people wills to actually being anything of that sort commit a bad act despite knowing that it is at all, but their notion is that a man a bad act. The acquisition of money is may have knowledge, and yet the important as it is a need that must be

56 Recoletos Multidisciplinary Research Journal June satisfied. In the market, most if not all items as apparently good but actually it is evil. A are for sale. Even purchasing items under series of false perceptions can lead to a promo like buy one take one also needs continuous commission of evil acts. money. One cannot get the free item unless Socrates’ moral psychology is he purchases a piece first. Money or wealth “intellectualist” because he is committed to for that matter is good for some things the view that every ethical failure involves deemed necessary have to be bought. some cognitive failure, for each ethical However, the desire for it has to be failure is the direct product of some false controlled. A person must not result to belief about what is good for the agent of greed in the acquisition of wealth. Worse, if the failure (Brickhouse & Smith, 2010). corruption consumes man just to gain more Nevertheless, the failure committed is wealth. But, since it is pleasurable, it is expendable with the help of achieving sometimes uncontrollable. However, if wisdom. In Protagoras as stated earlier, given the right and necessary information, wisdom equips man with the strength of man will choose to regulate his desire for overcoming ignorance. In fact, wisdom and monetary possession for he knows that an knowledge are the mightiest. Wisdom excessive craving for it is no longer good enriches man with virtue, and the constant and needs to be avoided. This position is practice of virtuous acts will grant him called intellectualism because it implies that happiness. what ultimately motivates any action is some cognitive state: if you know what is Moral Life via Ethical Intellectualism good you will do it, and if you do an action, Morality is the quality of human act and it is bad, that was because you thought which leads us to call some of them good somehow that it was good. All error in such and some of them evil (Glenn, 2010). A choices is due to ignorance (Parry, 2014). human act is either good or evil depending The element that causes the setback on its conformity with the reason of the in man’s continued effort to achieve a doer. If his act conforms to his right reason moral life is ignorance. Man fails to acquire then it is good, but if does not conform then wisdom resulting to his propensity to error. it is evil. When a human act conforms to Ignorance is the culprit which results to right reason, it ultimately agrees with the man’s downfall. The intellectualist believes Divine Reason, and if it does not, then it is that when a person does what is morally not in agreement with it (Glenn, 2010). In wrong, that moral failure is due to an other words, for reason to be right, it has to intellectual error. If only the person conform to the divine reason which is exercised his intellect well—if he knew manifested in man’s conscience. There is a better—he would not do what is wrong variety of conscience depending on how it is (Segvic, 2000). formed. Nevertheless, the term ‘right’ from A person must use his intellect to the concept of right reason would mean the determine what is good for his soul. The kind of conscience which is ideally formed – intellect has the power to distinguish what a true, certain, and watchful conscience things to acquire for the enhancement of (Fernandez, 1996). A moral life in the his moral life. However there are instances present time is still highly regarded in the when his perceptions of things are society despite several issues berating it. shrouded with errors. He perceives a thing Marcus Aurelius is right when he said that a

2017 Agaton 57 moral life leads to tranquility. The to be reasonable than the other. While emperor’s moral philosophy was not a some would love to be devoured by the feeble, narrow system, which teaches a sensualities of the flesh, others would man to look directly to his own happiness, prefer to be pure in as much as they could. though a man’s happiness or tranquility is A group of students in a classroom cannot indirectly promoted by living as he ought to have identical intelligence or classroom do. A man must live conformably to the performance. A professor’s class record universal nature, which means, as the would show that the students’ grades are emperor explains it in many passages, that different one from the other. Class ranking a man’s actions must be conformable to his can also attest to its veracity. Children in true relations to all other human beings, the family also contrast. One has a love for both as a citizen of a political community poetry, while another has an appreciation and as a member of the whole human for engineering. One is better at math, family (Long, 2014). Despite varying notions while the other is excelling in language. of it from various groups, authorities, and These manifestations are authentic of the even from academes, there is still the desire various differences of man but the fact on what and how should a moral life be. remains regarding the essence of man as a In his ethics, Socrates is deeply rational animal. Man may be annihilated concerned with the universal essences of from this world but, the constancy of his things. He introduced the idea of universal nature remains. The universal idea then is, definitions; yet, he believed that although an animal gifted with reason is a rational individual men or things vary and are animal. For Socrates, the idea remains the constructed differently, the definitions of same but the individuating notes changes. how they are similar or vary remain With a predominant interest in ethical constant (Moore, 1980). The idea of beauty conduct, he saw that the definition affords is constant but it could be more or less with a sure rock on which man could stand the things around. There are degrees of its amidst the sea of the Sophist relativistic appeal towards those beholden by those doctrines (Copleston, 1993). Socrates things. People in shopping malls go through postulated that defying relativistic doctrines different boutiques and stalls first, would allow man to create a single basis or scrutinizing every item that appears foundation where every man could look beautiful to the shopper. This is without upon and conform his actions. prejudice to shoppers who would choose its Despite growing complexities cheapness rather than its beauty. The regarding moral standards, this Socratic shopper would finally stop at where the ethical doctrine teaches that man should most beautiful item is located. He may not hold firm on his moral standards. Pleasure be able to choose one because the items destroys the impartiality of our judgments that he perused did not meet his standard (Plato, The Republic and Other Works, of beauty but just the same the universal 1989). The elimination of ignorance through idea of beauty remains the same. constant acquisition of knowledge or Aristotle defined man as a ‘rational wisdom is crucial to a person’s moral fibers. animal.’ Individual man is unique one from Education is an avenue to enrich wisdom. the other. Even identical twins have their Changing towards betterment is catered in own differences. One person would prefer academic institutions as the light or pillar of

58 Recoletos Multidisciplinary Research Journal June every learner. For Immanuel Kant man can that comprise the philosophy of the entire only become man by education. He is Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao subject is very merely what education makes of him. (Kant, commendable as it summarizes the 1803) Education is what truly makes man a important points like the social and the human person. Further, Paul Glenn talks of individual aspect of becoming a better three types of education namely physical person (Miranda, 2016). Here, a person education, intellectual education and moral does not only gain wisdom but also virtue. education (Glenn, 2010). Physical education Even in higher education institutions, starts at home. Parents have the obligation morality and other similar ethical principles to feed and nourish their children, giving are continually taught in the classroom via them the necessary nourishment that they subjects like philosophy of man or ethics. may grow up physically and mentally These ideologies can form man’s healthy. As children grow up, they must be moral convictions as he sojourns into this ready for the more challenging life of world. These will contribute to the intellectual education which can be best refinement of Socratic Intellectualism in achieved in schools through formal view of molding a moral life. The ideologies education. But the biggest of the three is that these agents of social change like moral education which begins from the family, church, school, government among moment of childhood to practically until others impart to the constituents are crucial death. The imposition of doing good and yet beneficial. For instance, the church as a avoiding evil should be done by parents at vanguard of morality must live up to its role home. It is therefore wise for parents to as such. Morality is their expertise. More avoid anything bad as this might prejudice often than not, its followers would listen, the authority they have towards their although sometimes they would not. But children. The parents will be trustworthy in the idea that it is a strong imposer of moral their constant training of their children if standards should suffice. The family as a they themselves practice what they teach. basic unit of the society should keep its This is in consonance with Socrates said nucleus healthy by maintaining the bond of that the acquisition of wisdom is a life-long love, care and respect in it. These process. Ethical Intellectualism is automatic expressions can be a good start if not the that as an individual acquires wisdom, he best of imparting moral standards to every simultaneously obtains virtues as these two member of the family. The standpoint of a concepts are identical. It is in man’s nature person endowed with moral standards from to do what is good as the desire of the will these agents of society will have ease in is the good. The process of identifying an nourishing Socrates’ Ethical Intellectualism. objectively good thing is also a procedure of Further, a person who believes in this obtaining a good thing. As previously Socratic doctrine will have less difficulty in mentioned, the intellect has to process the achieving a moral kind of life. object well in order to avoid transgression. The unexamined life is not worth Subject like good morals and right living. In these terms, Socrates the first conduct, values education, Edukasyon sa great moral philosopher of western Pagpapakatao and the like are mandatory civilization stated the creed of reflective in schools which is good since students will men and set the task of this ethical theory benefit from these. The concise statements (Albert, Denise, & Peterfreund, 1969). A

2017 Agaton 59 person who fully knows himself possesses this Real Personal Conviction that he can the highest form of knowledge which is form his character into a moral state of life. wisdom. He will always do whatever is Socrates says: virtuous because it is that which will relay him to his greatest happiness. What shall be done to the man Attraction towards immorality are who has never had the wit to be practically everywhere in the society, but idle during his whole life; but has Socrates teaches that these enticements been careless of what the many can be dismissed with the usage of his has care about – wealth, and the doctrine. Man has to keep incurring family interests, and military knowledge helpful for his mind because offices, and speaking in the simultaneous with it is the acquisition of assembly, and magistracies, and virtue. As he continually beefs up with plots, and parties. Reflecting that I these two notions, the more he gains things was really too honest a man to which truly make him happy. This is what follow in this way and live, I did not philosophy is basically all about. It comes go to where I could do no good to from the Greek word sophia meaning you or to myself; but where I could wisdom. It delves into the real and ultimate do the greatest good privately to reason, cause or purpose of things that man every one of you, thither I went, may truly know them and avoid abusing or and sought to persuade every man misusing them. Wisdom is the highest form among you, that he must look to of knowledge and it is useful for man to live himself, and seek virtue and a moral kind of life. And this can be wisdom before he looks to his obtained through Ethical Intellectualism. private interests, and look to the state before he looks to the 2.0 Conclusion interests of the state; and that this should be the order which he Real personal conviction is the observes in all his actions. (Plato, proper ingredient if a person is interested in The Republic and Other Works, inculcating and practicing Ethical 1989) Intellectualism. This doctrine is perfectionistic but doable. Man has to make Today, the desires for material a certainty of himself that the continuous possessions, power, prestige, influence, acquisition of knowledge side by side the personal interests, and other undue constant practice of virtues are the avenues maneuverings are the things that matter by which he can become that person as most to a majority of human beings. The Socrates has perceived. Pleasure, vice, longings of the flesh manipulate man’s temptations, and disturbances are present moral convictions where the tendency is to and realistic. These realities are take advantage of his fellow. There is a distractions. They exist together with man. strong tendency in man to weaken morals These will limit if not hinder man from and favor materialism. The society today is shaping his character in consonance with grossly captivated by the enticing appeal of this Socratic ethics. Nevertheless Socrates the material world. Analogously, in maintains that man simply has to realize of Socrates’ time, his beloved city of Athens

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