{"product_id":"2940012821294","title":"A philosophy of form","description":"As civilizations change, so do the values and ideals of human culture. There have been, by one account, five such changes in recorded history, each brought on by the introduction of a new cultural technology. Ideographic writing, alphabetic writing, and printing, which supported a literate culture, promoted values related to written words. Electronic recording and broadcasting devices, in the next civilization, promote values related to sensuous images. A civilization’s ideals follow from its dominant communication method.\u003cbr\u003e    A sea change took place in human culture during the time when alphabetic scripts were being introduced in society. Philosophy, probing the nature of things, turned its attention to words. So it was that Plato, a follower of Socrates, conceived the idea of ideas as a new type of being, eternally unchanged. He speculated that the idea of goodness might serve as a general pattern to produce many good things. It was necessary, then, for philosophers to study such ideals, so that, knowing and preferring them to worldly things, they might take charge of society and remake it in the image of those perfect forms.\u003cbr\u003e    Aristotle, a student of Plato’s, concluded that happiness was humanity’s chief end. Reason seeks means to ends which are set by desire. Because some desires have unpleasant consequences, philosophy can usefully advise people to steer clear of them and, instead, pursue desires that are capable of satisfaction. Such desires should be within one’s own means to satisfy. Yet, there is a danger that a philosophy of intelligent desire will lead to self-centeredness. Ultimately, a full and happy life involves meaningful interaction with others in patterns of recurring, rhythmic activity.","brand":"Thistlerose Publications","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47081759015152,"sku":"2940012821294","price":3.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940012821294_p0.jpg?v=1763572788","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940012821294","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}