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.