May 27, 2013 The B.C. Catholic Opinion | Page 7 Connecting truth with beauty exalts them both magination, like its height.” tainly right, Xanthippe. For unfolds as a rich discussion the solitary man compares tiful human associations, “Ier after truth: it between Xanthippe and himself with no one, and – those “little platoons” in is a part of the alertness Plato about politics. dialogue Xanthippe’s Laws like Diogenes, whom they which our lives and loves C.S. Morrissey In the dialogue, we learn call ‘the dog’ – is blind in are ordered and enacted – ter one another, and those that the diversity that ought his heart to honour as he is the family especially. who lack imagination see The phrase “moronic blind to shame. Edmund Burke wrote less than the whole,” says a diversity engendered by XANTHIPPE: But the eloquently against tyranny Xanthippe, the wife of the free associations, and not person who is compelled in his ancient Greek philosopher while Martin Amis made imposed from above by Revolution in France. “To Xanthippe’s it into the title of a book ridiculous fascist planning ers, by a tyrant, say, who is Laws. Xanthippe’s Laws is a sanities of modern life, ers of Plato’s own Republic er’s tune or brave another’s perhaps the best and most and Laws. danger: such a person, I the Xanthippic Dialogues, convincing critique of our imagine, does not regard (the germ as it were) of modern insanities can be and Plato speak about true success as honourable, or public affections. It is the cated parodies of Platonic glimpsed only through failure as a thing of blame. versity, from which springs For his goals are not his which we proceed toward a ample, if we can imagine love, the most worthwhile own. He acts for a purpose, love to our country and to what Xanthippe, the wife certainly, and reasonably: mankind.” their conversation reminds he marches beneath the The parodies have a me of these lines from alien banner for fear of the tion of social arrangement fan, Plato. E.M. Forster in his novel whip at his back. But his is a trust in the hands of all pose. In addition, they are Thus, in Xanthippe’s Howard’s End: action is a means, and not Laws, ble if government coercion as none but bad men would fortunately, the brilliant and control extinguishes justify it in abuse,” wrote defense of marriage and cuss “the truths which only the fundamental space in PLATO: I begin to see Burke, “none but traitors family that they contain is stories can convey.” prose and the passion, and which human connection what you are getting at. would barter it away for unheeded by “the moronic both will be exalted, and might take place: XANTHIPPE: inferno” of our times. human love will be seen at “PLATO: gin to see it. For it follows, tage.” As Pope Francis said ciations are the true source of what is ultimately worth while, and of the motives – one is his own criterion, if Letters to the Editor honour and shame – which everyone can always claim make it so. It is from our exclusively his own rights, little institutions – and I without at the same time couver Public Library, with a long as it doesn’t mean having someone count the family as the lineup of holds placed on them. else’s views shoved down one’s most important among Julie Bartlett throat! Also, the majority view still sis of the nature that unites North Vancouver prevails, as far as I know. erhoods and sisterhoods, every human being on this the groups of kinsmen, the earth.” Political ads missed is- ticide, and quoted some statistics religious guilds and dining sues showing more females born than clubs – that the meaning server Marshall McLuhan Catholicism gives signals of life, or rather the many said, “The new information May 6 issue: mones and other body chemistry, meanings of life, derive. These days people seem much which affect sex determination in Without them, deprived of plant Nature.” In the age cause” in the April 29 issue: of “the moronic inferno,” press personal views, especially few details is grossly misleading. ing of value: all our actions the desecration of beautiful Grade 7 students at my daughter’s because, in this country, it is not Penny Oyama then become means, and things is everywhere. school recently and the response Burnaby since nothing has intrinsic Love and connection, was very positive. It’s tremendous However most don’t bother to attachment and affection distinguish between actual issues Poem for Blessed Teresa – about such beautiful dia in a thoughtful and positive way come lost in calculation, to promote the beauty and wisdom the general dissatisfaction gotten. but the only object of this less still “truths which only of Catholic teaching. with, for example, calculation is to survive the stories can convey.” I recently watched Catholicism, the televised leaders’ ished memories. And if our imaginations the gorgeous DVD series by Father debate of a couple of Mother Teresa is mine. were to “only connect” weeks ago. sider that a good life for a truth with beauty, then both The political ads in the and will always shine. rational being? org, where he posts short, timely paper were all for Liberal Stanley F. Smith PLATO: By no means. man love would be seen at videos on current events, movies, candidates. The tragedy is Surrey XANTHIPPE: Indeed, its height. books, and popular culture. Even that every one focused on one or it is not the life of a rational C.S. Morrissey is an as- We invite readers to send letters being at all, since no part of sociate professor of philos- up to his movie reviews! ly life in this world encompasses commenting on issues discussed in it is reasonable: nothing is I’ve also requested that my local many aspects, all of which must be the community or within the pages done for a reasonable end, College. The audio record- public library purchase the Catholi- dealt with. of this publication. Letters must and therefore everything is ing of Roger Scruton’s re- cism As well, two of the pieces in have an address and phone num- done without reason.” cent lecture in Vancouver lection. (I didn’t get a response, so Tyrannical political on “The Need for Beauty” I’m now asking my friends to make edited for style, clarity, and length. is available from Regent- the same request). [email protected]. Audio.com. dering of human affection. By nature, ordered love is