Chapter 1: The Coin and the T-Shirt

“Hey! Would you like to purchase a coin?” a booming voice called out from behind.

“Huh? What do you have there?” Athena asked, momentarily taken aback.

“This coin has 'memento mori' inscribed on it,” he said, presenting the quarter-sized metal disk, “to remind you that life is fleeting.”

“Oh, I appreciate that, but I’m already reminded of my mortality daily—especially when my knees ache after a jog. If that’s not a sign that time is slipping away, I don’t know what is.”

“But you can carry it with you! It’s a keepsake to inspire you to live fully, you see?”

“Well, I have a skull that accompanies me everywhere. In fact, I’m conversing with you through it right now,” she said, cupping her face, “this very skull is snugly perched over my decaying body.”

The man chuckled, undeterred by her response. “What about a shirt instead? This one features Marcus Aurelius. He’s a Stoic philosopher who encourages us to accept what we can and cannot control.”

“Will you accept that you cannot change my mind?” she realized her tone had turned sharp, “I apologize. I must go visit my sister. Have a good day,” she smiled apologetically and walked away, slightly annoyed.

Tala: What’s the issue with famous figures on t-shirts?

Athena: Using historical figures for commercial purposes raises ethical dilemmas. Would you want your likeness on a shirt sold to people who might not appreciate it?

Tala: Not everyone shares your moral compass. If I can contribute to capitalism posthumously, I see no harm in that. I won’t have opinions or desires when I’m gone, so why should it matter?

Athena: Here we go with semantics again.

Tala: Don’t tell me you’ve never idolized anyone?

Athena: I have, but I don’t revere them as we do anthropomorphized gods in traditional sectarian beliefs.

Tala: Your collection of Orwell and Tolkien books is like worshipping a bible, isn’t it?

Athena: That’s not quite the same! I’m inspired by those texts, but they don’t dictate my every action like someone who constantly references The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius.

Tala: Are you against those trying to better themselves?

Athena: Absolutely not! Finding solace in books is a profoundly human trait—a key survival tactic, if you will. But relying on a figure like Big Brother for guidance leads to learned helplessness. Eventually, one must learn to think for themselves and critically assess their life.

Tala: I see your point. The issue arises when we treat a book as the ultimate answer to everything.

Athena: I read an article that tried to use Stoicism to promote feminism—what a futile endeavor! People twist ideas to fit their narratives. The author might as well have thrown Aristotle into the mix.

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Tala: So, if I understand correctly, you’re suggesting Aurelius is the new Messiah, and Stoicism has become a new religion?

Athena: His intentions may have been noble, but his actions weren’t always virtuous. I’m not one to promote Jesus, but in the context of archetypal heroes, he might be superior to Aurelius—though his miracles and resurrection are debatable.

Tala: When you put it that way, taking advice from a man who committed murder because he wrote a book seems absurd. Buddha didn’t write anything, yet he might make a better role model.

Athena: Why limit ourselves to venerating historical figures when there are superior meta-heroes in fiction?

Tala: Alright, I see that you’re being both serious and sarcastic.

Athena: As an educator, I have many thoughts on idolization and power dynamics. Having an audience can grant one a form of power that isn’t always justified.

Tala: I agree that power can be misused to manipulate others, but it usually occurs in the hands of a misguided leader. If wielded wisely, it can do good.

Athena: Good intentions can lead to poor outcomes. While they may seem trivial on a small scale, they can have devastating effects in larger contexts.

Tala: I know where this is going, and I won’t engage in another thought experiment, thank you. Whether I argue for deontology or consequentialism, I’ll end up being wrong either way.

Athena: Trolley problems can be quite entertaining, can’t they?

Tala: If your idea of fun is pure intellectual indulgence. It’s an unwinnable game for bored adults.

Athena: There’s a certain luxury in self-reflection; you should try it!

Tala: But these scenarios lack real-world context! I prefer to stick with Aristotle’s virtue ethics and keep things manageable with Socratic questioning.

Athena: “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing” isn’t entirely accurate! We may not know everything, but we can know some things. We understand there are unknowns, but they aren’t the same as unknowing.

Tala: You’re sounding remarkably optimistic, which is refreshing! While not literally, to be virtuous requires understanding the potential consequences of our actions. One must strive to use knowledge to choose the best course of action.

Athena: That assumes we have the knowledge of what constitutes virtue and vice. What is right and wrong must be continually reassessed based on circumstances.

Tala: Yes, that’s part of my hypothesis! This is contingent upon determining what is right and wrong in any given situation!

Athena: The definitions of good and evil are rife with contradictions. Even the greatest thinkers have struggled and disagreed on these concepts.

Tala: Oh, please don’t pull me back into your Kantian-Utilitarian debates! I won’t fall for it again!

Athena: Alright, will you calm down?

Tala: Next, you’ll argue for Scientism to define moral values! And I’ll counter: ‘I know an objectivist view is necessary, but subjectivity has a place in individual situations!’ And yes, I realize morality is a human construct! The universe is indifferent! What else did I miss?!

Athena: Wow. You’ve anticipated me, dear. I haven’t even made my rebuttal yet.

Tala: Because even after reductionism—while useful—the world isn’t simply black and white, and you know it!

Athena: I suppose... I’ll refrain from bombarding you with questions for today.

Tala: Thank you!

Athena: I won’t be around for a while, so you’ll have a break from me.

Tala: I know, and your birthday is coming up soon.

Athena: I’ll have completed 30 trips around the sun, with the sun rising and setting approximately 10,950 times since my birth on a Saturday.

Tala: I thought I’d give you your gifts now.

Athena: How thrilling! What did you get me?!

Tala: You were talking about quantum physics last week, so I found some mugs with Einstein and Feynman’s pictures on them.

Athena: Oh, my goodness!

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