Socrates is cited by Martha Nussbaum, a well-known contemporary philosopher, as a shining example of a world citizen divorced from the trappings of tradition. But Socrates was anything but non-traditional. His teachings of self-examination do not suggest we be whatever we want to be; if we take context into account, he was teaching Athenians to know what society expected of them. It’s OK to take Socrates’ teachings to further modern ideas, but we mustn’t forget the context in which these ancient philosophers were living. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
