This lecture discusses key ideas from the ancient Middle Platonist philosopher and biographer Plutarch's essay How To Tell A Flatterer From A Friend

This episode focuses specifically on the importance of moderating, or placing some limits on frankness of speech (in ancient Greek, parrhesia) within the scope of genuine friendship. These include advice to avoid approaches that are likely to be insulting to the person being criticized, since frankness has room for graciousness. Frank criticism should also be avoided when a person is intoxicated, and one should avoid criticizing a person in front of certain audiences. Criticizing too often or for trivial matters can also make frankness less effective.

You can find the copy of the text I am using for this sequence on Plutarch's How To Tell A Flatterer From A Friend here - https://amzn.to/43fRQcd

To support my ongoing work, go to my Patreon site - www.patreon.com/sadler

If you'd like to make a direct contribution, you can do so here - www.paypal.me/ReasonIO - or at BuyMeACoffee - www.buymeacoffee.com/A4quYdWoM

You can find over 3000 philosophy videos in my main YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/user/gbisadler

(Amazon links are associate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)

Broadcast on:

11 Jun 2024