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Ortega or Gasset?

So I’m not clever enough to understand the differences but really wanted to be able to 1. **Plato or Aristotle?** - Plato: Ideal forms, abstract philosophy. - Aristotle: Empirical observation, practical philosophy. *Depends on whether you value idealism or empiricism.* 2. **Picasso or Van Gogh?** - Picasso: Cubism, abstract innovation. - Van Gogh: Emotional intensity, vibrant expression. *Depends on your preference for abstraction or emotional depth.* 3. **Locke or Descartes?** - Locke: Empiricism, tabula rasa, political theory. - Descartes: Rationalism, "Cogito, ergo sum," foundational philosophy. *Depends on whether you prioritize experience or reason.* 4. **Athens or Jerusalem?** - Athens: Reason, philosophy, humanism. - Jerusalem: Faith, revelation, spirituality. *Depends on whether you value reason or faith.* 5. **Existence or Essence?** - Existence: Being, lived experience (existentialism). - Essence: Core nature, inherent qualities (essentialism). *Depends on whether you prioritize being or meaning.* 6. **Poetry or Prose?** - Poetry: Emotional resonance, rhythm, brevity. - Prose: Narrative, clarity, structure. *Depends on your preference for lyrical expression or storytelling.* 7. **Paris or Rome?** - Paris: Art, fashion, modernity. - Rome: History, ancient culture, timeless beauty. *Depends on whether you prefer modernity or antiquity.* 8. **Freud or Jung?** - Freud: Psychoanalysis, unconscious drives, sexuality. - Jung: Collective unconscious, archetypes, spirituality. *Depends on whether you focus on individual psychology or universal symbols.* 9. **Darwin or Lamarck?** - Darwin: Natural selection, evolution by adaptation. - Lamarck: Inheritance of acquired traits (largely discredited). *Darwin is scientifically validated, but Lamarck offers historical context.* 10. **Beethoven or Mozart?** - Beethoven: Emotional depth, revolutionary compositions. - Mozart: Elegance, perfection, classical harmony. *Depends on whether you prefer passion or precision in music.* Each choice reflects a deeper philosophical, artistic, or cultural preference. Which resonates more with you?

Tesla or Edison?

I think it’s brilliant and sometimes hard to pick one or the other. My perceptions are slightly diff based on what I read, personal interest and bias. For example I’m contemplating if Plato was right abt democracy all along. I like Locke’s 'starting from scratch' but I likely lean heavier towards Descartes level headed attributes. I’ve been reading Hemingway and his prose and simplicity is addictive. I find Freud’s ‘blame everything on childhood’ dramatic at times, but when parents split or abandon their kids for long periods I remember Freud’s perspective. I'm appreciating Jung's theory but I'd pair neurology with it. I like existentialism but essence is real too. Paris likely more romantic and Rome more masculine.

Nikola Tesla hands down - open source thinker and can imagine everything in his head. Edison patented everything

It’s quite a deep list isn’t it I’m going to give it more thought but fundamentally there’s no right or wrong….. apart from Lamarck perhaps 🤔

I love Edgar’s ballet renditions and I love how dreamy Monet pieces are. I appreciate Picasso’s multi-dimensional view on a 2D piece - can’t imagine what he must be seeing in his mind before he painted. The Sistine Chapel blew me away, but the Mona Lisa felt overhyped after walking through the Louvre’s maze. But I love Leonardo's sketches, it's always been an inspiration. Over time, I’ve realized art is deeply subjective - sometimes an expression, like Dalí or guerrilla art, other times an emotion, like Monet or Rene Magritte. My thoughts on it evolve, but that’s the beauty of art I reckon

yea, Aristotle is always practical and rational but now I wonder if democracy can exist without autocracy and if Plato was right all along

btw thanks for always responding without ego or pride. I see you, and I appreciate it