Great Religions and Philosophies.: Greek Philosophy Essay

In the 6th century B. C, at that place began a dualism in classic Philosophy. The development of Hellenic Philosophy became a compromise mingled with Greek monistic and oriental influences, in some other words, a combination of intellectualism and mysticism. Thus began the pre-Socratic philosophy. The interests of pre- Socratic philosophers were centered on the creative activity that surrounds gentleman, the Cosmos. This was during the time of great internal and external disturbances in the Greek society, as it was right aft(prenominal) the Peloponnesian war.The pre-Socratic era of Greek Philosophy came to an ratiocination when the Sophists turned their attention to man himself, delving into the moral and mental nature of man and dealing with the practical problems of life. The past Greeks mirrored their nature, beliefs, moral philosophy and customs in Greek Philosophy. Through understanding Greek Philosophy, we can see how the ancient Greeks regard the sphere around the m. Greek Philosophy filled the vacuum cleaner in the spiritual and moral life of the ancient Greeks, where in the kindred place other cultures had their belief in a religion.Wisdom, in the Greek sense, included not only a theoretical explanation of the innovation around them, but also provided a practical guide to life. From kor to Hesiod, we see the reflections of the ancient Greeks and their use of Gods to fulfill their spiritual, social and psychological needs. A lot of temples were erected for Greek deities, and the ancient Greeks worshipped Gods to avert calamities, to secure the achievement of a certain harvest, or as thanksgiving for success in battle or deliverance in wants and wishes.Homeric songs tells stories of how man realizes that all(prenominal) events are governed by natural laws. In the Homeric world, fantastic beliefs and superstitions governed wholeness important aspect of the ancient Greeks immutable fate. Homeric poems reflect the cursory doubts of the ancient Greeks in prophecy, and the observation about the shortness of life, and the suffering of worldly existence. The great epic writer Hesiods philosophy of life rests on the idea of the deterioration of mankind.Hesiods perspective runs along the idea that fit to the will of Zeus, the human world is governed by justice and the animal world is governed by might. Hesiod reflects a society then that were seeking the truth and prying for the morality guidelines. And the human conduct of the ancients Greeks of the time were very much intertwined with the way of temperament, for example, if they were morally good, they would be blessed and rewarded with bountiful harvests. However, on the other mop up of the continuum, when a sin has been committed, such as the unconscious incest of Oedipus, all Nature is affected by the offense of man.During the period of the Dorian migration, the ancient Greeks were extending their territorial possessions to a greater extent. This brought abou t a lot of different morals and customs changes repayable to social and political changes. All this is reflected in the poetry, philosophies and books of that era. Passion and feeling was more eminent now, and the attitude of the ancient Greeks towards nature was no longer observational and descriptive but emotional. The ancient Greeks are becoming more conscious of individualism and ones give birth strength and significance.The increase in property and material goods in the Greek society intensified the deep feeling in the ancient Greeks that earthly things are transient and a lot of them started to look at a more superterrestial support that would assure them security and permanence amidst all the changes in mortal things. The ancient Greeks were also more possessed by an intrinsic immense religious fear, the fear of sinning or omission against whatsoever gods. A lot of them felt the necessity for atonement and purification.During this time came the orgasm of cleansing ritua ls, an example being the purification of Athens by Epimenides after the defilement of the city by Cylon. Epimenides and many similar holy nation of his time would go into trances that would provide him with divine revelations. Epimenides was considered very close to the gods, due to a mode of life make holy by asceticism. Prophets and priests wish well Bacides and Sibyls reflect the need of the ancient Greeks for atonement. These prophets and priests were called upon to perform purification rites and prophetic trances. relish conjuring became a common practice, too. With Socrates and Socratic philosophy, the sophists and many philosophers moved past from the ? physics of Nature and concentrated on mans counteract conduct of life. Great philosophers like Plato and Aristotle were the important influences that would shape Western purpose and culture. They desire to unravel the intellectual limitations of man and the need to find answers to honest questions. Side by side with thi s, spawned the Hellenistic Philosophy, which served to explain the change in world conditions at that time when the Greek Polis was destroyed.Inspite of all the Greek philosophers that sought for intellectual wisdom, the fantastic myths and gods of the ancient Greeks still survive and prevail. However, the Greek philosophers made a great effort to obtain a dichotomy between myth and logic. The efforts of these philosophers would prove to be of great influence in modern font Western tradition and rationalism. Bibliography. Cornford, F. M. , From Religion to Philosophy. New York Harper, 1957. Guthrie, W. K. C. , A History of Greek Philosophy. 5 vols. New York Cambridge, 1990.