Philosophy of Food, Friday period 3

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal arranged everything on the desk, then waited for everyone to arrive, smiling as they came in.

Once they were there, he began. "Last week, we discussed what makes us see something as food, why some things are or aren't. This week, the question is: Why do we eat?"

He waved at the food and drink behind him. "There are the obvious answers; most people will start with, 'we eat because we're hungry'. But it's rarely so clear-cut. Each section here is a pair of foods. You may eat or drink only one from each pair. Choose one - or neither - and explain to us why. Feel free to debate it with each other as well. Feel free to ask me or each other questions."

He leaned forward. "Remember, there are no wrong answers; it's the reasoning we're after."

Comments

First pairing!

[never-dull.livejournal.com]

"This one is simple." He taps each of two carafes; they have glasses and ceramic cups nearby. "Both simple tastes, and little difference between them. Hot water; iced water."

Re: First pairing!

[halfbad.livejournal.com]

Nathan chose the iced water because it was a hot summer day and he'd slept outside so it would cool him down.

"It's hot outside," Nathan explained. "I want something that's going to cool me down so I went with the iced water."

Re: First pairing!

[never-dull.livejournal.com]

Hannibal nodded. "So, temperature and the weather are factors in why we eat. Or drink."

Re: First pairing!

[genesishero]

Evan made a little shrug of his shoulders as he took the iced water.

"Like Nathan said," he noted, "it's July. The iced water is far more appealing right now, even if the heat doesn't bother me all that much."

Re: First pairing!

[never-dull.livejournal.com]

"So, what you choose to eat - or drink - may change from time to time."

Re: First pairing!

[genesishero]

Evan nodded his agreement.

"From situation to situation, it makes sense to adapt, right? I'll drink water hot, with maybe honey and lemon in it even, in the winter when it's cold. But right now, in the summertime? I want something that'll help me cool down."

Re: First pairing!

[likes-ducklings.livejournal.com]

"Hot water tastes weird," Rapunzel explained helpfully, as she poured herself a cup of iced water.

What? It did.

Re: First pairing!

[never-dull.livejournal.com]

Hannibal smiled. "You are the first not to make the argument based on temperature alone. But yes, we are generally unused to the taste of hot water alone, and may find it odd. So, taste is a factor."

Re: First pairing!

[wildandbrave]

"It seems silly to drink hot water by itself," opined Cosette, filling a cup with iced water, "especially during the summer. Perhaps if it were colder or if I were ill I might think differently, but I still think I'd much rather use it to make tea instead."

Re: First pairing!

[never-dull.livejournal.com]

"As would I," Hannibal acknowledged. "And you bring up another factor - illness. Our own feelings at the time may help to dictate what we eat."