Ancient Greece brought many gifts to the world, whether it be democracy or philosophy. Although ancient history may seem archaic and irrelevant at first glance, that is really not the case upon further contemplation. Greeks were quite advanced for their times, bringing along revolutionary contributions to civilisation, politics, science and arts.
Socratic method of enquiry: “The highest form of human excellence is to question oneself and others” said Socrates. He encouraged people to question everything and anything, including themselves. He strongly believed that by being free of assumptions, humans can better themselves. Socrates was unapologetic about his beliefs and always stood his ground, even when it cost him his life. Basically, he wasn’t afraid to speak the truth, and if that meant hurting people’s feelings occasionally, then so be it. Socrates in his famous method of inquiry breaks the subject matter down and asks questions to stimulate critical thinking in intellectual discussions. This way, all presumptions could be cleared and all parties partaking in the debate could engage in the search for the same truth.
Socrates was one of the first philosophers to develop ethics. Till date, people continue to engage extensively in the debate of the human condition – about what is right and wrong, good and evil. By actively listening and participating in intellectual discourse, people can avoid misunderstandings and unnecessary arguments. You do not have to take everything at face value and blindly agree with everyone else.
Plato’s allegory of the cave: Plato famously said “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when we are afraid of the light.” Plato introduced the idea of an ideal Republic and human blindness to the truth. He wanted people to climb out of their “caves” of darkness and ignorance, and step into reality and truth. In a world saturated with polarisation and bias, his beliefs couldn’t be more relevant today. By accepting that people’s ideas of reality are inevitably filtered by subjectivity and ignorance, Plato encourages to actively seek transcendental reality.
A competitive spirit: More than 3000 years ago, Ancient Greece laid the foundation for the Olympics Games. The Olympics demonstrate strength and performance, but also capture human competitiveness. The competitive spirit continues today in schools, workplace, and athletics to push limits, motivate people, and secure rewards. Fair competition also promotes cooperation and team work – all of which are part of our daily lives today.
Aristotle’s logic: “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting.” said Aristotle. He believed that we live in a world made of facts, in order to perceive knowledge, people need logical and methodical discussion. Logic and reasoning paved the way for modern sciences, including biology, psychology, and physics. Aristotle’s ideas however conflict with Plato’s in that not everything in life is subjective and open to interpretation. Instead of finding YOUR truth, he encourages people to find the truth.
Conclusion: Whether it was introducing critical thinking, analysing human nature, or questioning the moral compass, early philosophers asked and answered essential questions about life. Ancient philosophy is still relevant today, not only because it tells us how to think, but also what is important to think about in life.
