Conversations at Midnight #13: When Philosophers Are Left Unsupervised

The debate about how families should function was one of the hottest social conversations in the ancient world. Imagine attending a three day dinner conference on family life in ancient Rome. The hall is packed. Merchants mingle with politicians. Wealthy landowners compare notes with young fathers. A few women sit among the audience as well, listening carefully. The aroma of fresh bread, olives, figs, and watered wine wafts through the air.

Tonight's session is called Foundations of the Household. The organizers are taking everyone back to the beginning—to the great Greek philosophers whose ideas helped shape the Roman world. The audience settles into its seats as the master of ceremonies steps forward, in front of three raised tables.

"Our first speaker hardly needs an introduction. Please welcome the elder statesman of Greek philosophy... Socrates!"

The hall erupts into applause.

Socrates raises a hand as if to quiet the crowd. One gets the distinct impression that if given the chance, he might ask whether applause is truly a reliable measure of wisdom.

He spent the day wandering the streets, asking troublesome questions and dismantling arguments. An unmistakable fragrance trails behind him as he makes his way to the platform; dust, leather, sweat, bare feet and marketplaces. The man owns a comb but it's unclear if he does more than, well, question its arrival in his pocket.

He takes a chair at the first table, squinting at the audience. "Before we discuss how a household should function," he says, "perhaps we should first ask what a household is."

A few attendees groan. It's going to be a long evening.

The questioning continues for the next hour, and by the end nobody is entirely sure what a household is, though they all agree they learned something. Just what that something is remains an entirely different question.

The MC returns to the stage. "Thank you, Socrates. Next up is Plato."

The audience leans forward. Plato takes his seat at the middle table, with considerably more polish than his teacher. Born an aristocrat, his robes are cleaner, his beard is better trimmed, and he carries the scents of olive oil, wine, and a household that can afford servants. An usher fills his plate with roasted fish, herbs, lentils, seasonal vegetables, and some imported delicacies. Reclining on a sofa, he takes a sip from his cup.

"My friends," he begins, "a healthy household is part of a healthy society."

Heads nod. This is what they came for.

For the next hour he paints a vision of harmony, justice, and order. Every person fulfills the role best suited to them. Every piece fits perfectly into the larger whole.

The audience applauds enthusiastically as the MC returns once more. "Our last speaker of the night is Aristotle."

A younger man approaches the platform. He is the student of Plato, who was the student of Socrates. Three generations of thinkers, each building upon the other. A memorable night by any standard!

One day Aristotle will tutor the young prince named Alexander, who will go on to conquer much of the known world.

Before taking his seat at the third table, Aristotle surveys the room. You get the impression he has already categorized the audience into at least six different groups, possibly seven?

He smells of clean wool, scrolls, ink, and the sort of academic curiosity that keeps a person awake long after everyone else has gone to bed.

Unlike his teacher and his teacher's teacher, Aristotle loves systems. He begins:

The husband governs the wife; the father governs the children; the master governs the slaves. Order creates stability; stability creates prosperity; prosperity creates a healthy society.

The audience applauds enthusiastically as some jump to their feet. A few women exchange glances, polite but thoughtful. Each philosopher spent their entire segment discussing households, talking directly to the men. Nobody has spoken to or even acknowledged them. Not even once.

By the end of the evening, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle have disagreed on many details, but shared one main assumption: someone must be in charge, and that someone is a man. Authority flows downward. The powerful lead while everyone else follows. All across the hall the men nod their agreement.

And then, unexpectedly, Paul walks into the room and everything shifts.

Come back next Friday for more!

Sources & Further Reading

Primary Sources

Aristotle. Politics, Book I.

Plato. The Republic.

Plato. Apology (account of Socrates' defense).

Xenophon. Memorabilia.

The Holy Bible: Acts 19–20; Ephesians 5–6; Colossians 3.