Aristotle’s back from the dead, ready to quiz you: are you sharp enough to grasp the universal, or are you too busy drowning in your glass of water?
That Old Sage, Aristotle
So, there you are, parked in a corner of a somewhat retro bar, with that faint aroma of ancient coffee making you nostalgic for the days when people actually read paper books. And who pops up next to you? Aristotle himself, in a tunic screaming "I haven’t seen a laundry day in centuries," looking like someone who’s spent too much time pondering questions like, "If a tree falls in a forest and no one's around, does it make a sound?"
"Ah, the young pupil!" he exclaims, though you don’t recall enrolling for this. No matter how much you try to explain that your philosophical inquiries generally revolve around choosing between beer or a cocktail, he’s ready to school you on concepts that sound more like sci-fi movie titles.
"Let's start with the universal," he suggests, and you hope it’s a new drink name, but alas, it’s far more complex. "See," he continues, as you grip your glass for some semblance of comfort, "the universal is like the secret code of existence, the DNA of ideas."
You raise an eyebrow, thinking the only code you're interested in cracking right now is the bar’s menu. But Aristotle isn’t one to give up easily. "Imagine," he goes on, "that everything you see, every concept you speak of, is a river flowing towards an ocean of universal meaning."
At this point, you wonder if the bartender spiked your drink, as Aristotle starts sounding less like an ancient philosopher and more like an indie film director no one understands.
But then, as Aristotle dives into a spiel on how "being" and "substance" are the keys to unlocking the universe, you start to think that maybe, just maybe, there's something to his ramblings. Perhaps the universal isn’t just for bearded old sages but could offer a fresh perspective on everything from your beer to life’s meaning.
And as Aristotle sips his drink (which you find out is called a "Metaphysical Mojito"), you realize that spending the afternoon with an ancient Greek philosopher might not be such a bad thing. After all, who else could offer a lesson on life, the universe, and everything in between, one sip at a time?
The Universal According to the Bartender
Just when you thought you’d found a moment of peace, the bartender decides to join the chat. Yes, the one with a Schrödinger’s cat tattoo on his arm, who always hits you with existential queries when all you want is a coffee, not an identity crisis.
"Hmm, the universal, huh?" he muses, wiping a glass with a cloth that seems to have seen more philosophy than your high school textbook ever did. "Think about this," he starts, and you brace yourself for a long night. "Every drink I make here," he continues, "is unique. Yet, everyone recognizes a Mojito, right? There’s the essence of a Mojito in every version I make."
You glance at Aristotle’s Mojito, wondering if the secret of the universe is hidden inside it. Or maybe just a lot of rum. Hard to say.
"See," the bartender goes on, "it's like with people. Every person is unique, but there are qualities, emotions, experiences... universals, that connect us all. Love, sadness, joy, the reckoning when you find out your metaphysical Mojito actually has more calories than a Big Mac."
Aristotle nods in approval, clearly liking this boozy twist on metaphysics. "Exactly! That's what I've been trying to say for centuries!" And you can't help but think that maybe, if he’d used the bar analogy more often, he’d have more Instagram followers.
As the bartender launches into a dissertation on how every cocktail represents a universal, from the "Agony of the Gin and Tonic" to the "Ecstasy of the Espresso Martini," you start to think that maybe, in a strangely intoxicated way, it makes sense. Perhaps the universal isn't just about abstract concepts and ancient philosophy. Maybe it's also in the little things, like a drink made at just the right moment, for just the right person.
"But don't forget," the bartender warns with a knowing smile, "in the end, it's all subjective. What's universal for you might not be for the person next to you." And with a nod towards Aristotle, who seems deeply engrossed in his Mojito, he adds, "Unless you're both searching for the truth at the bottom of a glass."
And so, as the night wears on and the discussions grow more philosophical, you start to see the universal in a new light. Not just as an abstract concept to be debated in dusty academies, but as something alive, breathing in the everyday, among the laughter and drinks of a bar that seems to understand far more than you'd expect.
I recommend it because...
...otherwise, Aristotle will never let it rest. And let's face it, it could be handy for winning an argument at the next philosophical happy hour. "Ah, but according to the Aristotelian universal..." and you're halfway there.
I don't recommend it because...
...you might end up being that person who starts talking about ancient philosophy at parties and birthdays when everyone else just wants to dance. And believe me, it’s not a good social move.
