Episode 9: Plutarch: Alcibiades and Coriolanus: Great Men to Love and Hate

12/31/24 • 41 min

Description

In this episode of Hot Takes on the Classics, Emily Maeda and Tim McIntosh delve into Plutarch’s Parallel Lives, exploring the contrasting characters of Alcibiades, the charming yet treacherous Athenian, and Coriolanus, the unyielding Roman general. Through their discussion, the hosts unpack Plutarch’s moral philosophy, the timeless appeal of his storytelling, and the lessons these historical figures offer about pride, betrayal, and human nature. Tim’s hot take challenges our perceptions: Would Alcibiades’ charisma make him more likable than Coriolanus’ rigid pride if we met them in real life?

Show Guide

00:00 Opening Remarks and Episode Overview

01:06 Who Was Plutarch? A Moral Historian

04:18 The Art of Biography: Why Plutarch’s Stories Resonate

06:44 Alcibiades: The Flamboyant Turncoat of Athens

12:36 Coriolanus: The Proud General of Rome

17:18 Comparing Alcibiades and Coriolanus: Virtue, Pride, and Betrayal

20:52 Historical and Modern Parallels: Are We All Alcibiades?

28:12 Tim’s Hot Take: Why We’d Like Alcibiades More in Real Life

31:06 Closing Remarks and Next Episode Preview

Key Topics & Takeaways

Plutarch’s Moral Vision: Parallel Lives provides more than historical accounts; it offers reflections on the moral and philosophical lessons from the lives of great men.
Alcibiades’ Charisma and Betrayals: Alcibiades’ charm and adaptability allowed him to switch allegiances—from Athens to Sparta—making him a compelling but controversial figure.
Coriolanus’ Unyielding Pride: Coriolanus embodied steadfast principles but alienated both allies and enemies with his rigid pride, ultimately leading to his downfall.
Philosophy Meets Politics: Plutarch’s Middle Platonism and Stoicism inform his portraits of these figures, emphasizing the virtues and flaws of human ambition.
Tim’s Hot Take: Despite their flaws, Alcibiades’ charisma might win us over in real life, while Coriolanus’ pride would make him insufferable.

Questions & Discussion

How does Plutarch’s writing style enhance the appeal of Parallel Lives ?
Explore how anecdotes and comparisons bring moral and philosophical lessons to life.
What makes Alcibiades and Coriolanus compelling historical figures?
Examine their contrasting leadership styles and how their flaws shaped their legacies.
How does Plutarch’s philosophical background influence his portrayal of these figures?
Discuss the role of Middle Platonism and Stoicism in framing the virtues and vices of great leaders.
Why do modern readers still find Alcibiades and Coriolanus relevant?
Reflect on the timeless nature of their struggles with pride, betrayal, and ambition.
Which lessons from Parallel Lives are most applicable to modern leadership?
Consider how Plutarch’s insights into character and virtue guide today’s leaders.

Suggested Reading

Description

Show Guide

00:00 Opening Remarks and Episode Overview

01:06 Who Was Plutarch? A Moral Historian

04:18 The Art of Biography: Why Plutarch’s Stories Resonate

06:44 Alcibiades: The Flamboyant Turncoat of Athens

12:36 Coriolanus: The Proud General of Rome

17:18 Comparing Alcibiades and Coriolanus: Virtue, Pride, and Betrayal

20:52 Historical and Modern Parallels: Are We All Alcibiades?

28:12 Tim’s Hot Take: Why We’d Like Alcibiades More in Real Life

31:06 Closing Remarks and Next Episode Preview

Key Topics & Takeaways

Plutarch’s Moral Vision: Parallel Lives provides more than historical accounts; it offers reflections on the moral and philosophical lessons from the lives of great men.
Alcibiades’ Charisma and Betrayals: Alcibiades’ charm and adaptability allowed him to switch allegiances—from Athens to Sparta—making him a compelling but controversial figure.
Coriolanus’ Unyielding Pride: Coriolanus embodied steadfast principles but alienated both allies and enemies with his rigid pride, ultimately leading to his downfall.
Philosophy Meets Politics: Plutarch’s Middle Platonism and Stoicism inform his portraits of these figures, emphasizing the virtues and flaws of human ambition.
Tim’s Hot Take: Despite their flaws, Alcibiades’ charisma might win us over in real life, while Coriolanus’ pride would make him insufferable.

Questions & Discussion

How does Plutarch’s writing style enhance the appeal of Parallel Lives ?
Explore how anecdotes and comparisons bring moral and philosophical lessons to life.
What makes Alcibiades and Coriolanus compelling historical figures?
Examine their contrasting leadership styles and how their flaws shaped their legacies.
How does Plutarch’s philosophical background influence his portrayal of these figures?
Discuss the role of Middle Platonism and Stoicism in framing the virtues and vices of great leaders.
Why do modern readers still find Alcibiades and Coriolanus relevant?
Reflect on the timeless nature of their struggles with pride, betrayal, and ambition.
Which lessons from Parallel Lives are most applicable to modern leadership?
Consider how Plutarch’s insights into character and virtue guide today’s leaders.

Suggested Reading

Previous Episode

Episode 8: The Art of War by Sun Tzu: Victory without Battle

Description

In this episode of Hot Takes on the Classics, Tim McIntosh and Emily Maeda analyze Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, a foundational text in strategic thought. Written during China’s Zhou Dynasty, the book offers timeless insights into warfare, leadership, and human conflict. The hosts discuss Sun Tzu’s emphasis on victory without battle, his Taoist perspective on war, and the text’s widespread influence—from military strategy to modern business. Tim’s hot take explores the ethical complexities of wars between unequal powers, where smaller forces often innovate and subvert traditional rules to challenge dominant forces.

Show Guide

00:00 Opening Quote and Episode Introduction

01:12 Why The Art of War Belongs in a Western-Focused Series

03:00 Sun Tzu’s Enduring Influence in Sports, Business, and Culture

06:01 Key Aphorisms and Strategic Principles from The Art of War

10:13 Sun Tzu’s Historical Context and the Zhou Dynasty’s Decline

14:00 The Story of Sun Tzu and the King’s Concubines

16:50 The Evolution of Chivalry and Moral Codes in Warfare

25:20 Sun Tzu’s Taoist Philosophy and the Harmony of War

29:25 The Necessity of Deception and the Value of Swift Victory

31:30 Tim’s Hot Take: The Ethical Dilemmas of Unequal Powers in Warfare

34:28 Episode Wrap-Up and Closing Remarks

Key Topics & Takeaways

Victory Without Battle: Sun Tzu asserts that the highest form of victory is achieved through strategy and diplomacy, avoiding bloodshed.
Deception as Strategy: Sun Tzu champions deception as central to warfare, challenging traditional notions of honor and morality in conflict.
Unequal Powers and Subversion: Tim examines how smaller powers innovate and undermine established rules of war, raising moral and ethical questions.
Sun Tzu’s Taoist Perspective: Rooted in Taoist principles, Sun Tzu views war as a disruption of natural harmony and advocates for its use only as a last resort.
Modern Applications: From military tactics to corporate strategy, The Art of War continues to inspire leaders across disciplines.

Questions & Discussion

What does Sun Tzu mean by “The greatest victory is that which requires no battle”?
Reflect on how Sun Tzu’s philosophy prioritizes diplomacy, strategy, and foresight over physical conflict.
How does deception redefine traditional moral codes in warfare?
Discuss Sun Tzu’s argument for deception as a core strategy and its ethical implications.
Why do smaller powers subvert established rules in warfare?
Explore Tim’s hot take on the challenges of asymmetrical warfare and its impact on the ethics of war.
What makes The Art of War relevant beyond the battlefield?
Analyze how its principles apply to leadership, business, and other competitive arenas.

Suggested Reading

Next Episode

Episode 10: The City of God: A User’s Guide for the End of Civilization

Description

In this episode of Hot Takes on the Classics, Tim McIntosh and Emily Maeda explore St. Augustine’s monumental work, City of God. Written in response to the Visigoth sack of Rome in 410 AD, this profound text examines the relationship between the City of Man and the City of God, offering reflections on war, virtue, and the Christian response to suffering. Emily’s hot take reframes Augustine as an early advocate for justice and equality, sparking a lively discussion about his enduring influence on Western thought.

Show Guide

00:00 Opening Quote from City of God and Episode Introduction

01:09 The Sack of Rome and Its Historical Significance

03:42 Augustine’s Views on Actors and Civic Virtue

06:35 Who Was Augustine? A Biographical Overview

10:23 Augustine’s Intellectual Journey: From Manichaeism to Christianity

13:20 The Scope of City of God: Theology, Philosophy, and Just War Theory

18:08 Augustine’s Response to Pagan Critics and Christian Doubters

22:10 The End of Honor Culture: Augustine on Women and Purity

28:12 The Rape of the Sabine Women and the Foundations of Roman Violence

31:29 The City of Man vs. the City of God: Augustine’s Vision

33:30 Emily’s Hot Take: Augustine as a “Woke” Philosopher

41:02 Closing Remarks and Teaser for Upcoming Episodes

Key Topics & Takeaways

The City of God vs. The City of Man: Augustine contrasts the eternal city, characterized by humility and peace, with the temporal city, marked by pride and ambition.
Just War Theory: Augustine introduces the foundations of just war, grappling with the ethics of violence and the role of Christian soldiers.
Defending the Faith: Augustine rebuts pagan claims that Christianity caused Rome’s downfall, using history, rhetoric, and theology to dismantle their arguments.
Raising the Status of Women: Augustine’s revolutionary stance on women’s honor challenges Roman values, laying the groundwork for modern ideas of equality.
Critique of Empire: Augustine critiques Rome’s imperial ambition, arguing that smaller, peaceful nations are preferable to empires built on constant warfare.

Questions & Discussion

What does Augustine mean by the City of Man and the City of God?
Discuss the implications of Augustine’s dual framework for understanding human society and divine order.
How does Augustine’s background shape his views in City of God ?
Reflect on how his journey from a Romanized African upbringing to a Christian bishop informs his critiques of Rome and its values.
What is the relevance of City of God to modern discussions of war and justice?
Explore Augustine’s contributions to just war theory and how they inform ethical debates today.
Why does Augustine reject Rome’s honor culture?
Analyze his defense of women’s dignity and his critique of Roman violence as incompatible with Christian values.

Suggested Reading