Socrates says that both wealth and poverty will make a man worse at his craft. He says that if a potter becomes wealthy, he will cease to work and lose some of his skill. He also says that if a potter were poor, he wouldn't be able to buy the tools necessary to create good work. He says that the perfect society would be free from wealth and poverty. Although this is an interesting thought, I believe that both wealth and poverty could in some way inspire a man to become better at his given craft. Just because a man is wealthy does not mean he will definitely lose his will to work. Poverty may inspire a man to become better at a craft so that he can get money and see the results of his work. Is Socrates rejecting this idea entirely?
I commented on Collin's blog.
I'm not sure Socrates is rejecting this idea, instead I feel as if he is letting it fall to the wayside. It may be true that wealth or poverty would inspire some men, but would it inspire men overall? It is a really good question though, for instance if the potter understands that there will never be wealth and he will not be allowed to fall into poverty then what inspiration is there left but the craft itself? I think that's really what he's getting at, just focusing on the craft and joy of it - though it is quite impractical to us ideally.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to agree with Kelli on this one. I think Socrates is trying to discourage the craftsman from using wealth as his primary means of encouragement rather than passion. Passion is what encourages the craftsman to create quality craft for the sheer sake of crafting. I think Socrates is trying to avoid the corruption that wealth provides.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Kelli also. There are several artists who go into the art field, and they do not make much if any money. But they do not stop because they have such passion for their art. Personally, I feel this is when some of the best art can come into the world.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like an onslaught of hate towards your blog, so I apologize, but I have to agree with the others based off personal reasons. I'm an art major and trust me, the phrase "starving artist" was created for a reason, yet people still choose that kind of lifestyle. It has nothing to do with money or fame because in truth most artists don't achieve that until after they're dead. Instead, they follow their dreams and passions. They do what they love and in turn they are happier than any accountant or doctor that hates going to the standard 9-5 job just for the paycheck.
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