Monday, December 22, 2014

Which of the two do you think made the most significant contribution to the ancient world, Greek philosophy or Roman law?

While both historical events have strongly influenced modern thinking, Greek philosophy (more specifically Athenian democracy), beginning with Socrates, then building to Plato’s philosophy, and growing through Aristotle (especially The Poetics) to the military and political accomplishments of Alexander the Great, seem to be the most lasting influences on modern Western thought.  While Roman law was a model for many subsequent legal structures, there have been numerous alterations to the structure of modern legal systems, including influences by other cultures, notably Oriental ideas.  When we use logic, we are employing thinking tools originally designed by the Greek philosopher Socrates more than 2000 years ago; when we divide, discuss, or critique literature, we are using both the definitions and the vocabulary of Aristotle; when we try to imagine the duality of reality and imagination, we are going back to Plato’s allegory of the cave.

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Summarize the major research findings of "Toward an experimental ecology of human development."

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