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Classicism: The Greek Legacy
ClaritySimplicityBalanceHarmonious proportion
Greek Classicism
What is a Classic?
Have outlived their own time and placeHave become authoritative models for future
generations to followContinue to provide inspiration
Classics
Art and Architecture
Sculpture
Apollo ofTenea: 560 B.C.E.PushkinMuseum
Encyclopædia Britannica Image Quest, "The Apollo Of Piombino “, 500 B.C.E. Bronze, accessed 9 Sep 2012, http://quest.eb.com/images/126_495630
Kritios Boy480 B.C.E. AcropolisMuseum
Art
Encyclopædia Britannica Image Quest, "Classical Black-figure Amphora, From Ialyssos, In The Archaeological Museum Of Rhodes, In Greece", accessed 9 Sep 2012,http://quest.eb.com/images/153_2366352
Literature and DramaEpic and lyric Greek poetry well established art
formsDrama: developed in Athens when poetic odes were
chanted by choruses to the god DionysiusAeschylus: introduced a second and third character
into the ode making it possible to present human conversation and conflict on the stage
Themes of Greek TragedyJusticeLawConflicting demands of piety and obligation that drove
heroic men and women to destruction
Comedy and Current EventsComedic Themes
Life on the farmThe good ole daysSexNightmare of politicsStrange manners of the townAristophanes: greatest Greek comedic
playwright repeatedly dragged into court to defend himself
against politicians he had attacked;
Classical Study of History
HerodotusThucydides
Herodotus (484-425 B.C.E.) Assemble sources, test their accuracy with one
another, write a vivid narrative of past events.Father of History
The Histories : an inquiry into the origins of the Greco-Persian wars
Herodotus favored Athens and had uncomplimentary things to say about Thebes and Corinth.
Agreement with many other sources although includes fanciful accounts. Priests and Kings
Reputedly recited The Histories at the Olympics
Thucydides (460-395 B.C.E.)Student of HerodotusWrote History of the Peloponnesian WarsKnown as “Father of Scientific History”
Reliance on sources Charted cause and effect without reference to
intervention by the gods.Idea of “political realism” relations between
competing poleis or kingdoms are based on Might rather than Right.
Inquired about the positive and negative consequences of democracy.
Pythagoras (C. 570-495 B.C.E.)
Essence of life lays in the mindSpeculative life is highest goodOne must be purified of fleshly desires to
achieve a speculative life Essence of the universe is found in the study
of abstractions NOT the physical worldEstablished key properties of odd and even
numbersProved Pythagorean theorem
Sophists“Wise men” made their living by selling their
knowledgeProtagoras, “Man is the measure of all
things”Truth, justice, goodness are relative concepts,
adaptable to the needs and interests of human beings
Truth, justice and goodness are not moral absolutes established by the gods
No one can know if the gods exist or what they wanted
Particular truths valid for individual knower
Philosophy: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle
Socrates (469 – 399 B.C.E.)Hoplite soldier who participated in three
campaigns during the Peloponnesian WarMethod of instruction was conversation and
asking questions: Socratic MethodSubmit every presumed truth to examination
of reasonSocrates never wrote anything, what is
known of his philosophy comes from Plato’s writings and the writings of his other pupils
Socrates’ PhilosophyKnown through writings of PlatoAbsolute standards do exist as ideals which can
be discerned through rational examinationAll supposed certainties are merely unexamined
prejudices inherited from others“I know nothing”
Investigate own assumptions and reflect on principles of proper conduct
Consider the meanings and consequences of one’s actions at all times and be prepared to take responsibility for them
Plato (424/423 -348/347 B.C.E.)Student of SocratesWritings include dialogues between Socrates and his
opponentsFounder of the Academy in Athens: first institution of
higher learning in Western CivilizationTaught AristotlePlatonism: physical world is merely a “shadow” of
the ideal. Justice exists in its ideal form but men’s practice of
justice is merely a cheap “shadow” copy of justice.Philosopher –King: wise ruler who attempts to attain
the ideal in the physical world.
The Parable of the Cave
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQfRdl3GTw4&feature=player_detailpage
The quest for justiceWhat is the nature of a just society?Idealism
Reality lies in the realm of unchanging forms rather than sensory objects
Psyche (soul) belongs to the realm of unchanging forms
Soma (body) belongs to the sensory (material realm)
Purpose of philosophy: to educate the psyche and free it from its material prison to regain perfect awareness
The Republic
No private propertyMinimal family lifeEducation for both men and womenEach person’s abilities determine his/her
place in the communityGovernment by enlightened guardians:
philosopher-kingsMost intellectually capableCarry the welfare of the whole commonwealth
Plato’s Just Society
Empirical methodDependent on direct experienceMale generator—female receptacle
Male: life giving form Female: chaotic matter Women are imperfect and incomplete versions of
menLogic
The syllogism
Aristotle (384-322 B.C.E.)
Plato: Republic ruled by philosopher-kingsAristotle
Governments must function in the interest of the state NOT the people
Democracy puts too much power in the hands of poor people
Demagogues can persuade masses to pass less-than worthy laws
Humans can reach full potential only within the framework of the state
Best government is constitutional government ruled by middle-class
What type of government is best ?
Examines human valuesHappiness is the only human value which is a
final goalVirtue exists in how well one performs its
functionVirtue= how well a human exercises the
function of reason.The Golden Mean= the middle ground between
2 extremes of behavior.
Ethics
The Greeks and Western CivilizationSimilarities between important concepts
of human society in the civilization of ancient Greece and present day western societiesConcern for the most just form of governmentThe idea that at least some citizens should
have a voice in governmentThe notion that the fullest development of
one’s own potential should be the aim of existence
“Every free man is the sculptor of his own monument”
Notion of uniqueness of being “Greek”
Stark Differences between Ancient Greek Society and the Present
Place of womenPlace of children and slavesNotion of “Mentoring”Rights of Free MenThe practice rather than the ideal of
democracySmall group of males in control.Exploitation of other city-states—no
compromise only competition.