Interestingly Pithy- A Philosophical Exploration in Aphorisms, Maxims, and Instagram with Daniel Scotton

WATCH RECORDING: https://youtu.be/4XM8wPf8K0U

The way we communicate as people has been inexorably changed with the advent of the digital era, and though the past looks different from our modern point of view, we can still look to it for inspiration on how to overcome the obstacles presented.

Over the course of western thought, in several seemingly unconnected contexts, a way of communicating has reappeared consistently. We’ve come to refer to this style of communication as Aphorisms, Maxims, or pithy statements, depending on the context. This style is short form, poetic thought, and can be imagined in some way as the Western equivalent of the Haiku.

In this presentation, we will explore the history of the style, from Ancient Greek thinkers such as Epicurus to 20th century French writers like Emil Cioran. We’ll analyze how the style has been historically utilized, and then apply those thoughts to our current situation here in the 21st century. Namely how this short form poetic style may be used to create a space within our Social Media landscape to provide more thoughtful material for consumption that is in keeping with the rapid pace of today’s society.

For as the rise of Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok has proven; most people today are unable to find the time between the endless distractions to read something such as Hegel’s 800-page treatise “Phenomenology of Spirit”. And I believe condensing important thinkers into a style such as an Aphorism, while woefully undercutting as it may seem to the great thinkers of the past, is an important step to ensuring that their thoughts are not lost to the sands of time.

Daniel Scotton graduated with a B.A. in Philosophy and a B.B.A with an International Concentration from Hamline University in 2019. He returned to the Rogue Valley in 2021 where he began his role of Business Services Consultant at Equus Workforce with a background that includes almost a decade in the hospitality industry, as well as a decade of volunteer work in areas such as public speaking and job readiness training, having worked primarily with youth organizations such as DECA, Future Business Leaders of America, Business Professionals of America, and Wayzata’s Compass Program.

His area of interest in Philosophy is 17th & 18th century French and German Continental, with a particular focus on the Aphoristic, or Maxim style of writing. While off the clock, Daniel is an aspiring writer of philosophy & poetry, a fan of graphic design, and enjoys studying cinematography and cosmology.”

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