Clifinar, Philosophy, and Football

Introduction

Since Clifinar is a seminar, I thought I would share with you some information that I dug up about the origins of the seminar. Personally, I always find it interesting to read about how things originated. It gives you an interesting sense of perspective.

Clifinar and Ancient Greece

Well the seminar actually dates back more than 2000 years to Ancient Greece, and a method of learning established at that time called the Socratic method. In ancient Greece the subjects of inquiry tended to center around ethical, moral, and philosophical subjects, such as the existence of a supreme deity, the nature of consciousness, and the difference between good and evil.

Clifinar and the Debate

The Socratic method progressed by asking a set of questions with a common theme, and the participants then addressed those questions, often by debating different points of view concerning the given subject.

Clifinar and Cartesian Philosophy

Interestingly, the Clifinar often takes the same form: Clifton explains a particular web marketing concept, and Dan offers a counter-argument. These sessions also draw a lot of inspiration from the central concept of 17^th century Cartesian philosophy, best described by the classic phrase, "I argue therefore I am."

Clifinar and Football

A connection between Clifinar, Socrates and football? Now I’ve got you laughing…Well, maybe not. Here goes: As I said the Clifinar – seminar traces its routes back to the Socratic method. Socrates was philosopher, but it is also the name of a great Brazilian footballer from the 1970s. And Finally…Monty Python had a famous sketch called Germany versus Greece, in which all the players are in fact philosophers. Socrates scores!