Hey, everyone! I know I say this every time, but… I really can’t believe it’s time for another Socratic circle again! How does time go so quickly?? >_< I guess that’s the problem with scheduled monthtly posts. Makes you feel old suddenly, lol. *adjusts my shawl like an old mousewife*
Let’s kick this Socratic circle off by taking a look at last month’s. In July, we pondered the question, Is there such a thing as objective beauty?
This question received an answer from my friend Hazel, who’s really on a Socratic roll! ;D Here’s what she had to say:
I think that yes, there is such thing as objective beauty. I had to go Google what that meant, but I honestly think it’s possible. I will also say, though, that objective beauty is not possible in people. It’s impossible for everyone to agree on one person is beautiful.
But also, in a way, it is possible. In God’s eyes, subjective beauty (opposite of objective, if that wasn’t clear) doesn’t exist. Everyone is beautiful to Him. It’s just that people’s… I wouldn’t call it bias, but living in an imperfect world makes us unable to see beauty in everyone.
I mean of course I hope you strive to find beauty in everything, but uh…
yeah idk how I was gonna finish that.But like I was in the car, and there was this absolutely STUNNING sunset, and I literally thought of this XD
I absolutely love your thoughts on this, Hazel! I think you hit the nail on the head with this bit especially: “In God’s eyes, subjective beauty…doesn’t exist. Everyone is beautiful to Him.” ❤
This is exactly how I would approach this issue as well: by starting with God. We cannot be truly objective because we are incapable of being truly just, gracious, good, etc. But God is all of those things, and therefore He can—and must—be objective in all things. Everything that is of Him is inherently beautiful: “And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31, NASB).
All right, moving on! The Socratic circle question for August comes from my American history book and is, I think, a good one to contemplate, especially with all the political contention going on right now. Here it is:
Why do you think Abraham Lincoln is generally renowned as one of the greatest American Presidents of all time?
If you’re interested in expressing your views on this issue, please feel free to comment about it; write a post, short story, or poem; make a piece of art; or literally anything else; and I will collect any entries and feature them in the next Socratic circle post. Just be sure you keep in mind the following:
- Define your terms! If there’s one thing my homeschool curriculum has taught me, it’s the importance of this practice.
- Keep your submission PG, please. I will not feature anything that contains vulgar content of any kind.
- If you don’t put your submission in the comments of this post, be sure to comment below and leave a link to your submission(s) by August 31 if you wish for it to be featured. (There is a chance, of course, that I’ll simply happen upon your submission—I follow many of the people who follow me—but I can’t guarantee it.)
- Please feel free to tag others to participate in our circle! The more the merrier!
- And of course, you’re welcome to post, comment, etc. on a previous month’s Socratic circle issue as well—just know that it won’t get featured in the next post (but I’d still love to see it!).
And as always, if there aren’t any responses to this question, that’s totally fine. The point of these posts is just to get everyone thinking. Certain issues may not require outward expression for some, and that’s okay. ^_^
I’m so excited to see what y’all come up with!
Havalah Ruth Peirce 
I love that Hazel says that we should see the beauty in everything. I feel like this is an important thing to do if you want to be a happy person. But, it’s also the right perspective to have on the world. We are immensely blessed by God with the miracles of life, sunlight, the cool breeze, etc. It is only right that we acknowledge that, every single day.
Also, I observed that you’re currently reading North! Or Be Eaten by Andrew Peterson. I just so happen to be currently reading it as well (it’s right in front of me, in fact; I’m on page 135). 😉
August’s question is something I wonder myself, but have no answers for, so I’ll be waiting in anticipation for everyone else to answer that one. 🙂
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Interesting question, for sure!
Hm. I don’t know if I can give *the* reason, but I can certainly give my take (and that’s all you’re asking from me anyway!).
I think that part of the reason is that he was able to pilot the country through a very hard period of time, keeping the country united despite the Civil War.
It was also easy to see that he gave his all for his country. From what I’ve heard, he worked non-stop a lot of the time, trying to make everything work out for the country, trying to do his job, trying to fix things that really didn’t have an easy fix. That’s admirable, and it’s something that people see and do admire.
He also was a very humble guy, from what I’ve read. He wasn’t bragging, didn’t have an agenda *for himself*, and didn’t try to make himself the center of attention. He simply did the right thing, without worrying about the approval of everyone else.
There is also, of course, the fact that he was assassinated. We often admire our assassinated presidents quite a bit, because there’s a bit of a “martyrdom” factor. 🙂
He was on the morally correct side of the war (or at least, it was morally correct in many ways, if not all…but that’s a Socratic Circle for another day), but he treated his opponents with respect and compassion.
So, those are my thoughts! Can’t wait to see what other people think.
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Love your thoughts, Samantha! Thanks so much for participating! ^_^
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Oh my goodness I loved this post so much. Hazel’s response was very insightful. I look forward to this monthly post!
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