Patrick Pidgeon was my Philosophy Professor at San Diego Mesa College in 1987. It was a great class and still ranks among my favorite in-class learning experiences. Pidgeon had a way of dissecting philosophical material, and especially language in a way that was challenging and engaging. It was such a good experience for me that I recommended my Mom take his class. She did, and she very much enjoyed it. In fact, in the year since Leah and I have been back in Roanoke, my Mom probably mentioned Pidgeon and his class half a dozen times.
I have no idea what “tomocracy” is in this drawing.
“Tomocracy” I think would be “governance by drinking” — I’m thinking that the word I missed was actually “autocracy” maybe. And here’s what looks like notes on Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave:”
And here’s a cartoon of what was one of Pidgeon’s explorations of the origins of words and how they apply to meanings now, ruler as a measuring device, ruler as the “standard:”
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Howz about:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timocracy
Then there’s Geithner…
Timocracy could definitely be what I mis-heard. Funny, I was just watching Starship Troopers with Leah and wondering what the form of government was where there was a requirement of service or some other action to be taken before the full rights to participate in government and society would be granted.
Freaky.
Still got Roth and Beecher?
Roth, yes.
Beecher, I believe is in storage. It’s also in one of the USDHS yearbooks — I think — in the feature section, though a little fuzzier.
I have those same notes from Pat and I took his class twice, with some 15 years in passing between. It is “Timocracy” and he used it to mean “rule by those of worth or honor” and Starship Troopers would be a good example. Plato meant it to describe the rulers of Sparta. Thanks for the memories and the sketches.
David, thanks for writing in! Good memories I have of him.
I’m vaguely remembering your name — did we take his class together? Would have been 87/88.
[…] day I used my Drafting skills to draw up plans based on our kitchen for a contractor. I think about Professor Pidgeon at Mesa who inspired in […]
With utmost sadness I would like to inform you all that, our beloved Mr. Patrick Pidgeon passed away on Feb. 11, 2015. Mr. Pidgeon was a rare and extraordinary character who touched so many lives. He will never be forgotten in my heart and in the hearts of those who realized the valuable role he played in our community and beyond. May he rest in peace.
http://www.villagecremations.com/memsol.cgi?user_id=1519070
Oh goodness Omid. That’s very sad to hear. Thank you for sharing that information. May he rest in peace.