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Greeks

The document outlines the requirements for a discussion module, emphasizing the need for two posts addressing specific questions about Athenian democracy and ancient Greek ideals. The first post compares Athenian democracy to modern Western governments, highlighting strengths and weaknesses, while the second post discusses the manifestation of humanism, rationalism, and idealism in Greek thought and athletics. Each post must be at least 250 words and include citations from relevant materials, with a deadline set for September 8, 2024.

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Kumo DZN
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3 views

Greeks

The document outlines the requirements for a discussion module, emphasizing the need for two posts addressing specific questions about Athenian democracy and ancient Greek ideals. The first post compares Athenian democracy to modern Western governments, highlighting strengths and weaknesses, while the second post discusses the manifestation of humanism, rationalism, and idealism in Greek thought and athletics. Each post must be at least 250 words and include citations from relevant materials, with a deadline set for September 8, 2024.

Uploaded by

Kumo DZN
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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A minimum of Two posts are required for this module.

You must initiate (create) a thread


in order to access all of the comments in this discussion. This must address both of the
questions I pose below. After your original post, your second required post can be another
original/direct commentary or a response to one of your fellow students' posts. If you
agree/disagree with a fellow student's position, be specific in stating the reasons why. Each
post should be at least 250 words in length and should refer to specific content (with
citation and page number, if possible) from the relevant video documentaries and textual
material.

Be respectful and polite in your commentary/observations.

All posts must be made by 11:59pm on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024.

Your task for this week's discussion: Address BOTH of the items below and comment on
them in your discussion posts. Make specific reference to material in these sources (and cite
frequently).​

Post #1) After reading Peter Jones's article on Greek Democracy, do you think the
Athenian system of government was preferable to Western governments of the
21st century (the example given is that of Britain)?

Post #2) Based upon your viewing of the video What the Ancients Knew: The
Greeks, or the video Ancient Greek Olympics, how is the ancient Greek
commitment to humanism, rationalism and idealism manifested in Greek thought
or Greek athletics?

Post #1: Athenian Democracy vs. 21st-Century Western Governments

After reading Peter Jones article on Greek Democracy I feel that the Athenian system had some
strengths and weaknesses compared to modern Western governments such as Britain’s. It is
important to note that Athenian democracy was more direct. This allowed people to better
control what policies and laws were passed. But it was also exclusive with only free male
citizens permitted to vote allowing women, slaves, and non-citizens to sit out. On the contrary,
modern democracies are structured and inclusive where the groups and interests in the society
are represented. There is a slower decision-making process, but there will never be the mob
rule of Athenian democracy. Additionally, the modern government has checks and balances that
prevent the corruption and tyranny that existed in ancient Athens. In conclusion, Athenian
democracy was a great and influential system but modern governments have improved the
democratic process to include additional people, maintain stability, and ensure long tenure by
involving a limited group of people.
Post #2: Greek Humanism, Rationalism, and Idealism in Thought &
Athletics

Both the philosophy and athletics of ancient Greeks reflect the humanism, rationalism,
and idealism they dedicated to. It was human striving, human potential, human beauty,
and human achievement, and so Greek athletes trained their bodies to near perfection.
For example, the Olympics celebrated physical excellence,e and 'statues of athletes
represent sculpted idealized human form'. Individual reasoning and self-improvement
were the focus of thought in the minds of philosophers such as Socrates.

Their sports and science approach is rationalistic. A little after 600 BCE, Thales
successfully predicted an eclipse, the Egyptians and Greeks started looking for the
natural laws that govern the world and the Greeks sought to explain all these natural
laws from physics to math to geometry. They even made systematic training, measured
performance, and structured competitions in athletics to create fairness and balance.

Their quest for perfection in the Parthenon’s architecture or Olympic Games reflects
idealism. In terms of competition and achievement, achievement of excellence (arete) in
all aspects of life, they set high moral and physical standards that still influence modern
ideals.

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