Socrates, Plato and Aristotle were great thinkers from ancient Greece. Their ideas became the foundation of philosophy from the Western world.

Let’s imagine a time machine propels them into modern-day America during this coronavirus crisis. Their conversations are through direct quotes and individual philosophical beliefs.

“Even without their fear of dying from the virus, Americans are in such need of getting attention from each other,” said Plato. “What they call social media appears to be where they attract followers from whom they make the assumption are their friends.”

Aristotle laughed. “A friend to all is a friend to none. Their need to be liked and to be praised suggests they are truly a lonely and unhappy sort.”

“And yet, during this virus crisis, rather than help each other and have compassion for those who are most at risk, many are selfishly hoarding survival protections for themselves,” said Socrates. “What is the logic if a few survive and everyone else perish? To live in a world where all humanity is gone for the sake of being one of the few who are left is not victory, but a defeat of catastrophic consequence.”

“They certainly give strange names to diseases,” said Plato. “And some I have heard believe you can get the virus from drinking a popular libation.”

“Americans rely on the wisdom of medical scientists who have no previous knowledge to aid their understanding of this disease,” said Aristotle.

“Science is nothing but perception,” Plato remarked. “Once a mutation of this universe has passed through a scientifically educated mind, it becomes a mere opinion of an unknown truth.” Plato looked over at his fellow thinkers. “If I may add, attention to health is life’s greatest hindrance. While one sacrifices so much time trying to live healthy, he has lost that many hours to live actually.”

Aristotle shook his head. “The ideal man bears the accidents in life with dignity and grace, making the best of circumstances. There seems to be a dearth of people who have the fortitude to weather storms with patience and perseverance.”

“If all misfortunes were laid in one common heap whence everyone must take an equal portion, most people would be content to take just their own and depart,” said Socrates. “They are so cautious and care so little for anyone outside their small circle of family and friends.”

“And nothing in the affairs of men is worthy of great anxiety,” said Plato. “Irrational behavior is the outcome and becoming the norm.”

The three men walked a little farther in silence. Plato stopped and turned to face his friends. “There are those who have chosen to ignore the warnings and they may be the wisest. Entire ignorance is not so terrible … too much cleverness and too much learning … are far more fatal. Thus the panic that may cause unnecessary conflicts that could lead to a civil war.”

Socrates, considered the wisest man from his world, said, “True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves and the world around us.”

“They do not realize that it is during our darkest moments we must focus to see the light,” Aristotle said.

Plato shook his head. “I think when you were born, my friend, the gods left you under the sun too long.”

Aristotle laughed. “Perhaps you are correct, but no genius has ever existed without some touch of madness.”

Suddenly, another time machine seemed to appear out of the clouds. Three men stepped out.

“Who may I ask are you gentlemen and from where are you coming?” Plato asked.

“My name is Mark Twain,” said the first man to exit the machine. He pointed to the next to exit. This is Woody Allen. Behind him is George Carlin.

“We were just out for a Sunday drive in our all new Toyota Time Traveler and we stopped by to see what’s going on with all this panic,” said Twain. “Heck, these people ain’t seen nothing that compares to 450 Americans dying from tuberculosis every day at the turn of my 19th century.”

Twain took a long inhale from his pipe. “I never feared death. I had been dead for billions of years before I was born and had not suffered the slightest inconvenience.”

Woody Allen stumbled forward, dusting off his clothes. “Excuse me gentlemen, I’m not real happy about brushing elbows with anybody who might be sick. And for the record, I’m not afraid to die, I just don’t want to be there when it happens.”

Plato looked at George. “And what about you? How were you so fortunate to have the company of these fine men?”

“I’m just here to enjoy the circus,” said George. “Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups. When you’re born you get a ticket to the freak show. When you’re born in America, you get a front-row seat.”

“Well, gentlemen,” said Plato. “Our stay here is brief so let us hope that wisdom prevails and fear subsides until the disease runs its course.”

“The only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing,” said Socrates.

Twain took another puff of his pipe. “If you ask me, when the disease departs, there will be no shortage of idiots who will take the credit. Let it happen on the first of April when we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year.”

Aristotle shook his head. “No single person will defeat the disease. The credit should go to those who treat the sick and help save lives.”

Carlin nodded. “The caterpillar does all the work, but the butterfly gets all the publicity.”

Rich Strack can be reached at katehep11@gmail.com.