Rise of Western Culture & Philosophy (Classical Greece)

The notion of "Western" thought and culture began with Classical Greece. Officially, it was kicked off in 1500 BC, but western culture was interrupted during the Greek Dark Ages (about 1100-900 BC). It then truly began to soar during the Classical period beginning around 900 BC, when Greece would enter its most glorious era, laying the foundation for dominant nations and empires in the centuries and millennia ahead.

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Western thought and culture traces its roots to Classical Greece philosophy, which is based upon reason and inquiry pertaining to a variety of disciplines, including science, technology, literature, law, politics, economics, psychology, ethics, art, etc.

Rise of Greece Through Favored Geopolitical Position

How did Greece become the epicenter of Western thought and culture? The answer begins with its geopolitical position. The Greek city-states dotted the northeastern coasts of the Mediterranean Sea, exposing it to the influence of the advanced civilizations which cradled the eastern end of the sea, including (at various times) the Phoenicians, Egyptians, Hittites, Assyrians, Persians and Mesopotamians.

The Mediterranean Sea was the "information highway" of its time, especially at the eastern section, where three continents converged together, accessible to one another through the across the water. Civilizations thrived in this region thanks to its fertile lands, which supported a collection of large populations. This gave rise to a collection of diverse societies, which became sophisticated through the accelerated exchange of ideas.

Greek city-states (a sovereign political entity consisting of a city and surrounding lands) were not only in relatively close proximity to these bastions of advanced thought, but their location also served as excellent trading ports. This provided ample opportunity for the Greek peoples to be opened to a diversity of ideas and knowledge from the world's most sophisticated cultures. Furthermore, the Greek lands were not as agriculturally productive as other dominant cultures around the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea, causing them to rely even more heavily on trade, especially in city-states such as Athens. Consequently, it was not surprisingly that Greek thought and culture flourished the most in city-states like Athens, rather than inland city-states such as Sparta.

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Greek Philosophy Becomes Distinct from Eastern Thought and Culture

After centuries of being elevated by the influence of advanced Asian and North African civilizations, Greek thought and culture began to take on a life of its own, developing its own distinct flavor. By the 7th century BC, Greek philosophers began to question the meaning and nature of life. Greek philosophy would reach legendary status during the age of Socrates in the 5th century BC.

Socrates revolutionized several areas of western thought, including ethics (advocating a life of good acts), government and law (endorsing democracy), and analyzing the nature of knowledge, and how we gain knowledge. Socrates mentored Plato, who developed his own brand of philosophy, introducing the idea of a "spiritual" aspect to the world, or that material things observable in this world had a "perfect" manifestation in a transcendent existence. Plate attempted to understand the world with this assumption. Plato's student, Aristotle, although advocating belief in a realm or phenomena not observable through our five senses, criticized Plato's unsubstantiated assumptions of a transcendent existence, relying on the senses (empiricism) as a superior methodology for understanding the world.

Greek philosophy would be projected throughout the known world (throughout much of Asia) during the Alexander conquests from 336-323 BC. Upon his death in 323 BC, the Alexandrian Empire would be splintered, but would remain under "Greek" control and influence. Further schools of thought would develop, covering many disciplines and varying perspectives. The main, underlying theme would continue to be reason and inquiry.

During this time, Eastern thought and culture was also developing. As Eastern and Western thought collided during the Greek military adventurisms into the Eastern world, each would leave its imprint on the other, while also diverging across important fault lines, establishing fundamental differences between eastern and western thought and culture.

Perhaps the primary difference between east and west is that eastern philosophy focuses on empowering the ruling class, with the masses seen as a synchronized entity, with the parts falling into place and functioning for the good of the whole. Greek philosophy focused on individualism, demanding that the ruling class exist to ensure the rights and privileges of the individual. Eastern philosophy would foster authoritarian systems over time, ensuring that constituents support the larger purpose. Western philosophy would cultivate democratic systems, erring on the side of individual liberties over "state" interests.

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The Basis for "Western" Thought and Culture, and Historical Impact

Greek philosophy would go on to have an immeasurable effect on world history. First, during the Alexandrian conquests, it would be spread throughout much of Asia, influencing eastern philosophy (just as western thought was influenced by eastern culture). Greek thought and culture would become the foundation of the Roman Empire, dominating Roman life especially after its conquest of the Greeks.

Judea was under Greek and Roman rule for most of the time which Judaism and Christianity were developed, lending a strong Greek philosophical imprint upon both religions, Christianity in particular. The New Testament was originally written in the Greek language, and originated and evolved in a Greek-dominated setting. For example, the New Testament positions God as perfect (and therefore unchanging) in all ways, consistent with the Platonian and Aristotlian schools of thought concerning God. On the other hand, Christianity impacted Greek school of thought by introducing the concept of hope of happiness beyond this life, something embraced by large numbers of Greeks.

When Roman Emperor Constantine elevated Christianity to the status of state religion, making it the favored religion in the empire, Christianity would become ever-intertwined with Greek philosophy, adding the important finishing touches to Western thought and culture. After the collapse of the Roman Empire in the 5th century, the "Western World" would enter the Dark Ages, where urbanization would be replaced by decentralized rural populations, and education and enlightenment would be replaced by superstition and unquestioning devotion to authority. In which case, the "Greek" thought and culture would be temporarily lost from the concept of "Western" thought and culture.

During the Renaissance (beginning in the 1400s) and Enlightenment (1800s) eras following the Dark Ages, where advanced Greek thinking would be restored and built upon, reinventing democracy, scientific discovery, etc. The British Empire would take upon itself the mantle of Western culture, becoming the world leader in democracy, technological advancements (ushering in the industrial revolution) and military might, reminiscent of the Roman Empire. By the post-World War II era, the United States would replace the United Kingdom as the world's most potent power. Like the British, the U.S. would adopt the legacy of Western philosophies, being driven by Western ideals such as individual freedoms for its constituents and Christian ideals.

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