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Re: A brief overview of the development of Western Philosoph

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 7:25 pm
by Salmoneus
*bump*
And I see I didn't notice that question. I'll answer it, once I remember what it was about.

Re: A brief overview of the development of Western Philosoph

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 9:00 pm
by Radius Solis
Erm, just to be clear, you do remember that NOTA is no longer pruned, right? So this thread is safe whether you bump it or not.

Re: A brief overview of the development of Western Philosoph

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 2:56 pm
by rotting bones
On tar

Hail vulgar juice of never-fading pine!
Cheap as thou art, thy virtues are divine.
To shew them and explain (such is thy store)
There needs much modern and much ancient lore.
While with slow pains we search the healing spell,
Those sparks of life, that in thy balsam dwell,
From lowest earth by gentle steps we rise
Through air, fire, æther to the highest skies.
Things gross and low present truth's sacred clue.
Sense, fancy reason, intellect pursue
Her winding mazes, and by Nature's laws
From plain effects trace out the mystic cause,
And principles explore, though wrapt in shades,
That spring of life which the great world pervades,
The spirit that moves, the Intellect that guides,
Th' eternal One that o'er the Whole presides.
Go learn'd mechanic, stare with stupid eyes,
Attribute to all figure, weight and size;
Nor look behind the moving scene to see
What gives each wondrous form its energy.
Vain images possess the sensual mind,
To real agents and true causes blind.
But soon as intellect's bright sun displays
O'er the benighted orb his fulgent rays,
Delusive phantoms fly before the light,
Nature and truth lie open at the sight:
Causes connect with effects supply
A golden chain, whose radiant links on high
Fix'd to the sovereign throne from thence depend
And reach e'en down to tar the nether end.
Goddammit, Berkeley.

(tar-water was very traditional, apparently)