Determinism, swerves, and the relationship between metaphysics and ethics

An ancient debate on the nature of the world is still with us, and for good reasons

The Epicurean Roman poet Lucretius, Wikimedia.

Last weekend I taught an intensive online seminar—eight hours total—on Socrates as seen by Xenophon. We read and discussed the Memorabilia, which presents a lively portrait of the sage from Athens, with Socrates freely giving advice to wannabe politicians as well as courtesans. It is also, incidentally, the …