In an Ideal World
The Platonic Cinematic Universe
Ideas were invented by the Greek philosopher Plato.
Plato wasn’t the first person to have an idea, he was the first person to call it an idea, and to relate to it ideals.
In Plato’s universe, every thing is an imperfect copy of a perfect, ideal thing, which gives it its identity.
Every man is a dodgy copy of the ideal man. Every woman is a poor rip-off of the ideal woman. And we only know that dogs are dogs because they look kinda-sorta like the ideal dog.
In an earlier post I said that the verb to be can strip things of their uniqueness, reduce them to stereotypes. Comparing individuals to ideals does the same.
In Japanese, I’m told, this link between thing and thinginess is less tightly bound. As a result, Japanese speakers are more inclined to perceive the uniqueness of a thing, rather than its similarity to others of its type.
Naming things is a powerful act. Take care.
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Dan 🗿 Peakrill Press 🍄 Mycoleum