Capping off a university education
My closet reflects a number of ball caps — old guys wear a lot of them (one at a time) and so the collection grows.
I have three favorites. Two are unusual but might be seen on other heads around town or in Northern Colorado. They are: a Wall Drug cap and a South Dakota State cap, both reflective of my personal history.
The really unique ball cap has “WILLARD” emblazoned in blue over a gold “U” backed with “University.”
The attentive observer would note “Willard University” and ask “I’ve never heard of that. Where is the campus located?”
I respond with a sly smile and a gesture pointing to my head, “It’s all right up here.”
Of course, there is no real Willard University — although I did teach a number of classes for my former employer.
The essence of this is you, too could own a ball cap with ”YOUR NAME University” proudly decorating it.
They are not free. I believe for three caps (for my son and grandson as well as mine) it was in the neighborhood of $100. Education is not cheap!
Ball caps like mine were not an option when the concept for the first European university was in the formation.
Plato — who loaned his name to Platonic Love (no messing around or kissing) — was a student of Socrates. And Socrates was a philosopher who wandered around Athens stopping to hold discussions about the conduct of life.
The old rulers of the day were not fond of Socrates because of his calls for virtuous behavior — perhaps still nothing some politicians would still adhere to. So, they bought Socrates a drink.
He might have preferred an aged red wine but they slipped him a glass of hemlock, inevitably fatal.
After Socrates’ death Plato changed his career path from politics to education.
He must have been a Roads scholar for he wandered from Athens into Italy and Egypt. He studied geometry, geology, religion and astronomy.
This was from 400 B.C. forward so he was unaware of Christianity.
He took up writing and created his masterpiece “The Republic.” He wrote it in a question-and-answer format suggesting a dialogue of his topics.
He addressed some of the great issues of life: wisdom, justice, courage, how an individual relates to himself or herself as well as society as a whole. He offered what it means to live a “good life.”
”The Republic” is considered one of the most influential works of philosophy ever written but as Shakespeare said “It’s Greek to me.”
In his view, the ideal government would have only philosophers as rulers.
Perhaps even one or two in government would be a pleasant change.
His book was a success so he created his Academy on a site related to a mythological Athenian hero called Akademos providing the basis for the word academia.
Plato U. as we may call it offered subjects such as: mathematics, biology, political theory and his major, philosophy. Rumor has it that he offered financial aid to attractive coeds. No, of course, he didn’t. This was 387 B.C.
It did offer skeptical thinking and denied the possibility of ever attaining absolute truth.
This was before the era of “alternative facts.”
Plato remained with the Academy until his death (Platos Emeritus?).
The university flourished until the Byzantine Emperor Justinian came into power. He closed the Academy on the grounds that it was pagan in nature and confiscated everything he could get his hands on.
At that point in time, we have no firm documentation of the Academy, its sports mascot or any of their league records. After all, what’s important of an institution of higher learning other than its championships?
Considering Plato’s Academy in the light of Willard University, what would our sports mascot be?
Alliteration is important but wombats are Australian so not a good fit. Perhaps an old wolf similar to the one howling at the moon on my right leg tattoo?
And then there’s the issue of tuition assistance for attractive coeds (probably left for another discussion).
So, if you’re thinking of buying a ball cap with “YOUR NAME University” on it, these are considerations before you invest the 30 bucks because people will ask you questions.