Book 5, Letter 7 - Aristotle: on torture

 

Dear Cicero,

I have been delighted to read Aristotle, I know you are a big fan of his work. In my study of rhetoric and oratory, his book on the subject has been an excellent foundation. He just lays down the principles in such a clear manner and strikes me as having a rather dispassionate way of assessing human nature. He's not disappointed by our weakness, and not really impressed by our strengths. He's scientific in his methods, and I've learned a lot already, though I am only a few chapters in.

I look forward to reading his book on Poetics next.

Today though, I'm reading to you on the unreliability of confessions extracted by torture, a subject being debated, 2,500 years later.

With gratitude and respect.

Morgan

 

 

Book 5 Letter 6 - The New New

 

Dear Cicero,

Tonight I'm reading you one of my poems, The New New.

If you want to understand the present

you have to understand the future

Every day we live through change. We balance upon a dynamic wave of cultural evolution. Nothing is static, all life is passing from one state to another. It was true in your day, and it's true in mine.

I have recently begun the editing and selection process for the publication of my first book of poetry. I have about 250 pages of work to collate from the last 8 years, and a few dozen illustrations for inclusion. I intend to make it a book worthy of our friendship, inspired as I am by your eloquence, Cicero.

with gratitude and respect

Morgan