Introduction
Philosophy was born from the spirit of public policy, as the ancient Greeks learned to rationally know the world by equipping a new societal order. In ancient Greece, there was a strong tradition of free discussion and the ability to argue, which developed during the era of democracy, the rule of the people. The Greeks invented the concept of turnover of power, transformed secret magic into an open religion, and regulated the lives of their citizens through laws. Thus, to comprehend the world around them, they had to learn how to explain it through reason and rationality.
A philosopher, from the point of view of the ancient Greeks, is a person who is knowledgeable in various fields of expertise. The article “The Greek Love of Wisdom” from the textbook Western Civilization: A Brief History (Spielvogel, 2020) provides a concise and brief description of the emergence and development of Greek philosophy, exploring the ideas of renowned philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates.
Definition of Philosophy
Philosophy is about thinking about even the most elementary things as global ones, and deeply exploring the underlying reasons for their emergence and presence in the world. Unique knowledge, encompassing the necessity and universality of concepts applicable in any field of knowledge, constitutes the basis of wisdom – a broader and deeper vision. Philosophy strives to comprehend, through systematic reflection, the ultimate nature of things. The Greek word for philosophy literally translates as “love of wisdom,” as the article states. The article provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of philosophy, highlighting the most relevant ideas from specific philosophers that can be used to delve deeper into the topic.
Ancient Greek philosophy emerged in the “forceful field,” the poles of which were, on the one hand, mythology, and on the other hand, the science that was being developed precisely in Ancient Greece. The birth of philosophy marked a revolution in human knowledge, resulting from a critique of religious superstitions and a long, painful development of thought from mythology to science. Materialistic philosophical views emerged alongside the development of scientific knowledge and free thinking, as exemplified by figures such as Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates. Philosophy begins not with reasoning about God but with discovering the world’s materiality and the concept of matter.
Ancient philosophy focused on analyzing the connection between a person and the world, as well as the corresponding way of understanding it. Philosophical awareness of this relationship is a practical necessity of the human mind. Philosophy first arises as a form of knowledge and as a reaction to the need to establish the real content of this connection.
How Article Showcases Philosophy
The article effectively demonstrates that ancient philosophy resides in the demarcation zone between the pre-philosophical and philosophical stages of human reflection, which has determined the logic of the formation and development of the modern Western thought tradition. However, a question arises: why was the philosophy of the ancient Greeks so significant? It is because the experience of thinking of ancient Greek philosophers will never lose its relevance.
The article notes that a significant part of modern European culture is rooted in the ancient Greek world. Originating in ancient Greece, philosophy remains a subject of special attention, marked by reasoning, agreements, and disagreements. The thoughts of Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle have garnered decisive attention throughout the entire history of Western and, to some extent, world philosophy to the present day.
Interesting Ideas from Plato’s Republic
A good example of the connection between ancient and modern philosophy is the contemplation of the concept of freedom, which was briefly discussed in the article from the standpoint of Plato’s Republic ideas. Freedom has always been one of the most significant values for people of different eras, religions, and countries.
The ancient philosophers were most interested in the specific problem of the relationship between freedom and power. Since the era of antiquity, and throughout history, there has been no common understanding of these categories, and many philosophers have not sought to establish a connection between freedom and power. Suppose the main declared principle of modern Western society is the idea of personal freedom of the individual. In his Republic, Plato elevates the concept of justice to a pedestal.
Plato gave higher priority to the law over the inner qualities of a ruler. In his opinion, an imminent death awaits a state without the force of law, governed only by an authority. He did mention freedom in his reasoning about the best form of government, as he defined the basis of democracy, but refused to accept it as fundamental to society. Moreover, an excessive freedom, from his point of view, always leads to tyranny, the primary purpose of which is the seizure, retention, and use of power.
Aruzza (2018) adds that “absolute freedom from authority and laws should be read in its tight connection to a fantasy of unrestrained appetitive enjoyment” (63). For Plato, freedom in itself, as a concept and a state of being, is quite problematic. While the article does not delve into the ideas of Plato or other philosophers in depth, it provides a good understanding of the foundation of their beliefs and convictions. For me, this was the most interesting part.
Conclusion
Overall, contemplativeness, characteristic of the ancient mindset, resembles the creative activity of modern scientists engaged in studying fundamental problems. The article provides a valuable foundation for further exploration of philosophy, and I would be particularly interested in learning more about central philosophical ideas.
Work Cited
Arruzza, Cinzia. “The Lion and the Wolf: The Tyrant’s Spirit in Plato’s Republic.” Ancient Philosophy, vol. 38, no. 1, 2018, pp. 47–67. Web.
Spielvogel, J. J. (2020). The Greek love of wisdom. In Western civilization: A brief history (Vol. 1, 9th ed., pp. 65–67). Cengage Learning.