The ancient quarrel — philosophy and poetry, Russian style

In Book 10 of The Republic, Plato remarks that there is an “ancient quarrel between philosophy and poetry” — with poets and philosophers battling for intellectual and moral superiority.

It seems that some contemporary Russians have turned Plato’s inter-disciplinary war into a pair of intra-disciplinary battles.

Datum 1 — poetry: “Russian ‘kills friend in argument over whether poetry or prose is better’ Investigators say drunken literary dispute led to 53-year-old former teacher, who preferred poetry, killing friend with knife.”

Datum 2 — philosophy: “Getting shot over a philosophical argument? You Kant be serious.”