Our first fiery discussion of the term delved deep into Heraclitean philosophy, as we sought an understanding of his cosmology. Whether considering flux or balance, mensuration or childishness, it was clear that our hour-and-a-half discussion was only ever going to be a beginning to a longer journey of reflection on allusive sayings and elusive meanings (I feel Heraclitus would have approved). Along the way, we were helped by thoughtful and generous contributions from our numerous, wide-ranging group of attendees - thanks to all who came!
Comparing the more academic translation of Heraclitus's fragments with later poetic versions enabled us to foreground the form of his philosophy: suggestive, rather than didactic, perhaps? Like nature's hidden meanings, did true wisdom also have an occult quality? Should it more fruitfully be compared with contemporary Daoist writings, rather than Greek sophistry? A fine reading of Gerard Manley Hopkins brought out new textures to his poem, and after dwelling on the spiritual elements of Heraclitus's writings, we were able to see how its ideals of change, becoming, and conflagration could be co-opted in imagery of the Christian resurrection. Indeed, how metaphorical, and how literal, Heraclitus's fire might have been formed another hot topic of discussion: in a characteristic move for the Reading Group, this led to both a frantic Googling of the history of scorched earth agriculture, and a meditation on the etymology and linguistic co-locations (and collocations) of fire with anger, life, or love.
All this, and much more (I haven't even mentioned Nietzsche): our interest in this topic has certainly been kindled.
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