HONEYMOON PERIOD GOVERNMENT
How do the Hellenic and Hellenistic periods differ?
How are they different in say Philosophy,literature,art,science,religion,medicine,architecture and government?
I’m going to greece on my honeymoon in 3 weeks and i dont want to look ill informed and have my facts mixed up.
Hellenic Period:
A. Early Greece:
Dark Age period (1100-800 BC)
Hellenic (civilization focused in Greece)
Hellenistic (Greek civilization spreads to known world) Ages
revival in many cultural activities based upon Minoan & Mycenaean civilizations
population, overseas trade & use of metals all increase
migrate to many Aegean islands & creation of new city-states
rise of new merchant class (good & money) to challenge traditional landed aristocracy
B. Hellenic Culture:
religion without prophets or scriptures, focus importance of man (humanism)
Olympian gods & local deities help or hinder
variety of cults & sacred ceremonies, but religion more social than spiritual
influence of Homer’s Iliad (Trojan War) & Odyssey upon Greek culture
emphasis on honor, action & consequence as man is a decisive actor in life
C. Philosophy:
origins of rational thought with evidence to support argument instead of mythic faith-based explanations for natural phenomena
i. Cosmology:
rational inquiry into nature, theoretical reason
study of the universe, with no places for gods
natural explanations for physical occurrences (Ionians)
mathematical order of nature (Pythagoras)
logical proof (Parmenides)
mechanical structure of universe (Democritus)
ii. Sophists:
rational investigation of human society, apply theoretical reason (cosmology) to society
suggest self & community improvement for benefit of citizenship & statesmanship
examined political & ethical problems
invented formal secular education
challenged traditional view of slavery (barbarians) & freedom (Greeks)
argued role of force or chance in slavery, all people (barbarian & Greek) are really same
attacked traditional religious & moral values,
argue no universal truth exists (relativism)
also argue that laws created for situation, so must change from time to time
laws created by powerful, not god
strong have power over weak in society, thus stressed selfishness over community spirit
iii. Socrates:
rational individual, art of living
search for perfection of human character:
individual at center of universe
reason at center of individual
shape character to values discovered through active use of reason (true education)
questioning mind is a priceless tool
use of dialectics or discussions to learn because must explain and justify position
Socrates died (poisoned) for his beliefs
iv. Plato:
rational society, change community before change individual
Theory of Ideas – universal standards exist in beauty, goodness, justice, truth
through knowledge of these ideas can the philosopher understand the higher reality
his higher world affected religious thought
Just State – the ideal state, with personal fulfillment achieved, attain moral excellence
must improve citizens, not power or wealth, so need leaders with wisdom & virtue
believed society to be too democratic & suggested reforms:
reduced voting rights (voters ill informed)
election process (looks not policy)
political system (fear of anarchy)
wanted to reorganize society:
philosophers to rule
courageous to protect
those with desires to produce
primacy of intellect regardless of gender
v. Aristotle:
synthesis of Greek thought
universal principles (Plato) but from human experience with real world (facts & objects)
focus on empirical sciences:
observation & investigation
record data
facts & theory must match
Ethical Thought – commonsense attitude, use moderation over extremes in all actions
apply reason to human affairs = good life
Political Thought – be part of political community rather than individualistic
effective government rather than utopia
trust in law not people, alter only when must
D. History:
Greeks viewed history in different manner:
focus on human story
separate events from religion & myth
non-human aspects removed by cosmologists
asked questions about human deeds
based answers on evidence
wrote with rational thought
Herodotus looked at Persian Wars through eyes of the historian:
compared worldviews
saw value in study & preservation of past
asked questions to discover facts
checked sources
remained objective
reduced mythological elements
Thucydides went one step further:
removed gods completely
looked for social forces & human decisions behind events
influential upon political scientists, historians & statesmen
5. Hellenistic Period:
A. Philosophy:
preserved rational tradition of Greek philosophy
adapt thoughts to:
understand needs of larger world on life of individual
ease spiritual uneasiness
reduce loss of security & sense of alienation
i. Epicureanism:
withdraw from evils of world to achieve happiness
gods had no influence over human actions
suggested moderation to achieve happiness
ii. Stoicism:
sought happiness by entering harmony with universal reason:
all people are part of humanity
all are significant
class, race and other differences are irrelevant
human law should not conflict with natural law or moral order
iii. Skepticism:
urged conformity, follow the crowd, better safe than sorry attitude
no certainty, only probability & belief
iv. Cynicism:
rebelled against all established values & authority, preferred indifference & apathy
no loyalty to family or community since everything a barrier to free life
early version of homeless hippie wanderers
6. Conclusion:
A. Aegean Civilizations:
influential in development of early Hellenic society
B. Hellenic Period:
removal of religious centered influence over society
study of man, search for rational answers
C. Hellenistic Period:
continuance of traditional rational philosophy
development of new outlook upon life, based in part on new world focus
Poor Marks for Berlins Coalition Government | People & Politics
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