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Chapter 8 Hellenic Culture

Chapter 8 Hellenic Culture. Philosophy: the Love of Wisdom. Pre-Socratic Philosophy Interested in origin, nature of physical world Thales of Miletus was first philosopher Some of their general concepts have been proven correct Greatest contribution was concept of law in the universe

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Chapter 8 Hellenic Culture

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  1. Chapter 8Hellenic Culture

  2. Philosophy: the Love of Wisdom • Pre-Socratic Philosophy • Interested in origin, nature of physical world • Thales of Miletus was first philosopher • Some of their general concepts have been proven correct • Greatest contribution was concept of law in the universe • What happened in cosmos was result of laws, thus understandable and predictable • Did not look to gods for explanations of phenomena • Natural law – set of phenomena in nature which explain why certain things happen • Anaximander – theory of natural evolution of species • Hippocrates • Founded of scientific medicine • First great empiricist in natural sciences

  3. Classical AgeSocrates, Plato, Aristotle • Socrates • Focused on questions of ethics and truth • Systematic questioning is essence of Socratic method • He challenged students to examine, justify everything before accepting it • Was accused of poisoning their minds, found guilty, committed suicide • Plato (Socrates’ pupil) • Tried to solve problem of how to recognize truth and reality • Concluded it cannot be done beyond certain point • Analyss of how politics were, and should be

  4. Classical Age • Aristotle (Plato’s pupil) • Interested in every form of science, formal analysis of thought, action • Best-known works are Politics, Physics, Metaphysics • Also mathematician, astronomer, botanist, student of medicine • Philosophy marked by strong sense of self-confidence • Humans were capable of understanding everything • Not overawed by gods

  5. Greek Religion • Polytheistic • Gods included Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Athena, Apollo, Demeter • Religion was different • Gods were less threatening, omnipotent • No priestly class • Gods not taken too seriously • Comparison with modern religion • Not revealed by supernatural authority • No holy book, system of moral conduct • No centralized ecclesiastical authority • Largely series of rituals, participation was act of patriotism

  6. Greek Religion • No speculation or fear about afterlife • Philosophy took place of religion • Each polis had its own local deities • Golden Mean – middle ground between extremes • Greeks distrusted radical measures • Believed person who claimed to have perfect solution was guilty of over-confidence (hubris)

  7. Arts and Literature • Three major art forms • Drama • Lyric poetry • Classical architecture • Pictorial, architectural art • Harmony, symmetry • Ideal beauty of human body • Grace, strength • Most art was anonymous • Artist simply did what he did best • Parthenon was ordered build by Pericles

  8. Literature • Literature took several forms • Poetry highly developed • Drama one of most popular arts – citizens expected to take part • Dance, music intensely cultivated • Many references to them • Reed, string instruments • Greeks prized craftsmanship • Ceramics in great demand • Clay jugs used in export trade

  9. Society and Economy • Country of small farmers • Polis was usually small, homogenous • Education level was high, primarily urban • Work • Manual labor considered undignified • But not all people could afford slaves • Machinery was unknown • Most workers were free men and women

  10. Slavery • Slaves were numerous • Not normally abused, many were highly prized, skilled • Many employed directly by the state • Most others were domestic servants • Usually only 1-2 per household • No civil rights, could not serve in military

  11. Gender Relations • Women generally excluded from politics, economy • Greeks distrusted, disliked women • Women worked through father, husbands, sons • Some variations – Spartan women were free, equal • Athenian women limited to the home • Rarely seen in public • Their job was household, children, servants • Segregated within the house

  12. Women in Athens • Poor and rural women somewhat more free • Legally inferior to men, had only limited citizenship • Prostitution was common – hetaerae were well-paid, well-educated performers • Homosexuality relatively common

  13. Sports • Greeks admired healthy body • Had first organized athletic events open to all men – Olympic Games • Began as more religious observance, added sports • Competitions for honor of home towns • Sort of patriotic reunion • Declined after Macedonian conquest

  14. Greek Legacy • Romans adopted much of Greek heritage • Style, content of arts, philosophy, science, government spread over Europe • Peculiar form of civilization composed of mix of Greek and non-Greek developed

  15. Discussion Questions • 1. Choose a controversial issue in your life and world-view. Now, examine it by the Socratic Method, questioning every aspect of both sides of the issue. Ask a question, then ask another question about the answer to the first. Repeat the process for at least ten questions. How does this method help to define the problem and find a definitive answer? • 2. Consider your immediate and extended family. What commonalities do you see with the Greek family? What differences?

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