Alain de BotÂton has masÂtered the art of popÂuÂlarÂizÂing great phiÂlosÂoÂphy. His books, lecÂtures, teleÂvised proÂgrams and the LonÂdon-based School of Life – they all help de BotÂton get great ideas “out there.” And now he turns to TwitÂter. On FriÂday, @AlaindeBotton tweetÂed a short course in politÂiÂcal phiÂlosÂoÂphy in sevÂen parts. The course, with each lesÂson preÂsentÂed in 140 charÂacÂters or less, begins like this:
1: PlaÂto: We should be ruled not by leadÂers choÂsen by a majorÂiÂty, but by those who are most intelÂliÂgent.
2. St AugusÂtine: We should not try to build parÂadise on earth. Aim for tolÂerÂaÂble govÂernÂment, true govÂernÂment only posÂsiÂble in the next life.
3. MachiÂavelÂli: PolitiÂcian must choose between servÂing the interÂests of counÂtry and the interÂests of ChrisÂtÂian moralÂiÂty. Can’t have both.
You can finÂish the course here, and start folÂlowÂing us on TwitÂter here, where we post a steady flow of culÂturÂal goodÂies throughÂout the day. If you like Open CulÂture, you will love our TwitÂter stream (and our FaceÂbook page)…