Human Philosophical Reflections 1: Greece and Rome Philosophy, Changing Concepts of the Body, and the Games

Greek Influence

n  Greeks developed much of the Western world’s belief about the body and physical education

¨  Likely with Judaic and Phoenician influences

n  Two metaphysical systems in Greece

¨  Naturalistic: man’s nature is both spiritual and corporeal (physical)

n  Achieving balance is desired

n  Emphasized physical and intellectual education

Classical Humanism

n  Emphasized existence as humans—welfare of the individual is most important

¨  Body was important

n  One’s purpose in the universe was to work out his destiny

n  Plato was not a humanist

¨  Emphasized mind more than the body

Greek Ideals: Arete and Agon

n  Ideals that resonated with every Greek

n  Greeks were most like the gods when striving and competing for excellence

n  The Greek ideal was the excellent scholar-athlete-soldier

n  Arete is possible only while individual is striving

¨   Those who think they have attained it have lost it

¨   Have passed into hubris (excessive pride)

n  Arete includes virtue, skill, prowess, pride, excellence, valor, and nobility (Stephen Miller)

sumber : binusmaya, pada tanggal 19 juni 2014