Philosophy of Food | Friday, period 1

[sharp_man]

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

Once they were there, he leaned against the desk and began. "Last week, we discussed what makes us see something as food. There are various reasons you may or may not see something as food that another person does. 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 I've set up 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, and to ask me or each other questions."

He leaned forward. "Remember, there are no wrong answers; the idea is to think about it."

Comments

Fourth pairing

[sharp_man]

"Beer and wine," Hannibal said. "Choose one."

Re: Fourth pairing

[somethingwithturquoise]

"Neither," said Summer, folding her arms resolutely in front of her with a disapproving frown. "Because it's morning."

And she was not her mother, thank you very much.

Re: Fourth pairing

[sharp_man]

Hannibal chuckled. "I originally had tea and coffee for this option, but when it's hotter out, neither is particularly welcome for some people. But this shows another aspect of food - it can be dependent upon the time of day. Why would you not drink in the mornings?"

Re: Fourth pairing

[somethingwithturquoise]

"Because...." And Summer blinked, not really sure she knew an answer except that it's what alcoholics did. Definitely what the alcoholics in her family did. "Because, like, maybe in moderation it's okay, but it can be a slippery slope to not getting anything done all day. Get stuff done, then relax with a drink. It's just more socially acceptable, I guess."

Re: Fourth pairing

[sharp_man]

"There you are." Hannibal steepled his fingers. "Societal cues can also be very important, not only in what we eat, but in when and why."

Re: Fourth pairing

[omgnochecksyet]

"I'm not much of a drinker," Eric admitted with a frown. "But if I were to pick one to drink alone, probably the beer. Now, if we're talking accompanying a dish, that's a different story. Usually when people talk about food and drink pairings, wine is what's being discussed, although there are exceptions. I don't know anyone who would accompany a hamburger or pizza with wine, for example."

Re: Fourth pairing

[sharp_man]

"Perhaps I should have returned to coffee and tea despite the heat," Hannibal said. Who knew that this class would be full of teetotalers?

"Different beers are better with different foods as well; it isn't only wine that merits pairing decisions. So - what you choose to eat may depend upon what else you're eating already."

Re: Fourth pairing

[omgnochecksyet]

Well, in a couple years he'd essentially be living in a frat house. His liver would get more than enough of a workout then.

"That's kinda what I meant!" he chirped. "Hamburgers and pizza are definitely beer foods, I think."

Re: Fourth pairing

[sharp_man]

"Ah, but which sort of beer?" Hannibal asked, grinning. "Pilsner? Stout? A pale ale?"