Raphael: Flat Earther?

[James McIntyre]

No, I do not. Flat Earth connotations aside, Plato's raised hand is very likely indicative of his metaphysical dualism. Otherwise it's a massive coincidence.

[Munky Fidget]

The man with his hand not pointing towards the sky is also holding an ethics book, which apparently proves that he is the one who wrote it. Presumably he carries it around so he can say "hey, have you seen my latest work?" and satisfy his own ego.

Aristotle was younger than Plato. Raphael's intent as to the identity of the pair is unambiguous.

How can you be sure it's not Aristotle and his dad? Or indeed any pairing of young person-old person. It could even be "before" and "after".. who knows??

Forgive me if there is some actual proof that Raphael intended this pair to be Aristotle and Plato, it's just that so far the logic seems a little flawed

[James McIntyre]

You're right, there isn't any concrete evidence either way. It could be two random dudes who just stole some priceless philosphy books and are discussing their getaway plan. The figure on the left points upward, suggesting a daring rooftop escape, but the younger one on the right, secretly doubting his elderly crime-partner's nimbleness, proposes instead that they descend the stairs and attempt to blend into the crowd before them. The rows of individuals flanking them on either side are eyeing them suspiciously, so they must act quickly or risk capture and punishment. The piece exquisitely captures the mounting anguish and guilt of the two pickpockets as they continue to disagree, and offers to the audience a strong positive moral relating to teamwork, communication and compromise in times of high panic and stress.

However, if we are to assume that the individuals are, in some configuration or other, Plato and Aristotle, it makes zero sense to assume that the elderly one on the left is Aristotle (and vice versa for Plato being on the right), as has mistakenly been done in this thread up until this point.

[GeneralGayer]

Do you not think that maybe it's just a painting and that the figures are arranged in dynamic positions just to look good, and that there's no real meaning behind it?

Never!

[GeneralGayer]

You're right, there isn't any concrete evidence either way. It could be two random dudes who just stole some priceless philosphy books and are discussing their getaway plan. The figure on the left points upward, suggesting a daring rooftop escape, but the younger one on the right, secretly doubting his elderly crime-partner's nimbleness, proposes instead that they descend the stairs and attempt to blend into the crowd before them. The rows of individuals flanking them on either side are eyeing them suspiciously, so they must act quickly or risk capture and punishment. The piece exquisitely captures the mounting anguish and guilt of the two pickpockets as they continue to disagree, and offers to the audience a strong positive moral relating to teamwork, communication and compromise in times of high panic and stress.

oh Dogman, this is possibly the best post you ever made

[markjo]

I can't believe that everyone missed this part:

RAFFAELLO SANZIO,  The School of Athens (detail): Zoroaster and Ptolemy.
(Zoroaster - front view, - holds a celestial sphere. Ptolemy, - back view, - holds an earth sphere.)

There can be no longer be any doubt that Raphael was a high ranking conspiracy member.  His ego even forced him to include himself among these ancient conspirators.

RAFFAELLO SANZIO,  The School of Athens (detail): Raphael and Sodoma.

[Mrs. Peach]

Both the 'spheres' look like flat discs to me. 

[GeneralGayer]

Both the 'spheres' look like flat discs to me. 

Yes, held up on their sides

[markjo]

Both the 'spheres' look like flat discs to me. 

Yes, held up on their sides

Perhaps a better close up will help.

[Mrs. Peach]

Truthfully, the celestial one does give the impression of being a sphere because of the way it's being held.  The terrestial one looks even more like a flat disc for the same reason.  Raphael messed up there; the hand should appear to be cupped if he intended to convey the impression of a globe.  Another win for FES!

[markjo]

Truthfully, the celestial one does give the impression of being a sphere because of the way it's being held.  The terrestial one looks even more like a flat disc for the same reason.  Raphael messed up there; the hand should appear to be cupped if he intended to convey the impression of a globe.  Another win for FES!

To me it appears that the terrestrial globe is being held in both hands as opposed to the celestial sphere being held in only one. 

[conspirator]

...However, if we are to assume that the individuals are, in some configuration or other, Plato and Aristotle, it makes zero sense to assume that the elderly one on the left is Aristotle (and vice versa for Plato being on the right), as has mistakenly been done in this thread up until this point.

Maybe you missed my post about the pizza dough?

At any rate, I fail to see the significance of any of this.  Just like I would fail to see the significance of someone a thousand years from now using evidence of this forum as holding any kind of importance one way or the other.

All I see is a nice painting where perhaps there is a discussion going on about something.

You get "The earth is flat!" ?

[3 Tesla]

Truthfully, the celestial one does give the impression of being a sphere because of the way it's being held.  The terrestial one looks even more like a flat disc for the same reason. 

How come you can't see The Ice Wall on that flat disc, then?

Some of the land-masses appear to stretch to the edge of the disc too - does that mean I can travel somewhere on The Flat Earth and look over The Edge?

That would be astoundingly cool (awesome vertigo!) ...

[Green Man]

does that mean I can travel somewhere on The Flat Earth and look over The Edge?

That would be astoundingly cool (awesome vertigo!) ...

Anyone up for base-jumping?  Or perhaps some bungee?

[John Davis]

I did mix them up in my OP James, though there is disagreement on whether those are the people depicted. However clearly they are talking about ethics due to the ethics behind such a conspiracy. However, since I don't really buy the whole conspiracy thing anymore this is a bit suspect.