Ancient Greece: Birthplace of Democracy & Philosophy

Hellenes and the Foundation of Greek Culture

1.2 The Hellenes formed part of Greek culture through the great epics of Homer: the *Odyssey* and the *Iliad*. They learned the language and customs. Those who did not follow this example were considered barbarians. They created a civilization based on beauty, dialogue, and reason, and were the first to use the term "philosophy." In ancient Greece, a new form of government emerged: democracy (although society was based on the work of slaves, and women were not socially recognized). The Greeks created theaters, sports, humanized springs, democracy, and philosophy.

The first witness to use the word "philosophy" was Pythagoras. When he was apparently asked for his profession, he replied that he was a philosopher. Philosophy is not something static; it is always open. It is not a dead end but a source with the need to find an answer to everything that is happening all over. For that reason, philosophers are always tense, always looking, and never satisfied with what they have found. They use reason, define concepts, develop methods, create systems of ideas, and do not support what we all hastily judge to be true.

Rational Discourse vs. Myth

1.3 Rational discourse is totally opposed to myth, but they have a common origin: to understand everything that is feared or not understood. Every form of knowledge arises from curiosity and leads to surprise.

Not every form of knowledge arises from curiosity and provokes surprise. Every form of knowledge arises from curiosity and leads us to surprise at what we do not know. This is the ability to be surprised, to find the riddles and questions that usually start any knowledge. The ability to create questions is the capacity to create parameters (the most radical difference between reason and myth).

The Practice of Philosophy

3 The practice of rational discourse, grounded and consistent, which uses the power of human reason, is one of the most remarkable general considerations of philosophy. Its purpose is to achieve awareness and combat ignorance, dubious opinions, or unfounded beliefs. Philosophy, together with the practice of rational speech, aims to be universal. We can all do good philosophy if we reason. From its origins, philosophy, in addition to pursuing theoretical knowledge, tries to use this knowledge to guide action. The wise man has a way of life illuminated by knowledge, and it has its origins in disinterested contemplation, but knowing how to live leads to happiness and harmony. The wise man unites knowledge, happiness, and truth. Philosophers seek wisdom as an ideal, however difficult; they are simply friends of wisdom.