Continue reading...

Open Document
The Greek's notion of rational thought is a very strong reason why Western
Civilization has become so influential in the world today. During their time, the
Greeks spurred an intellectual revolution. They questioned the meanings of life
and began using their minds to expand the world. According to Glenn
Blackburn: "In many ways, they "discovered" the human "mind" through their
philosophy and rational thought [ . . . ]"(64). Their "opening" of the mind
influenced all ways of life and society. Major ideas blossomed like politics,
governing laws, literature, art, history, and new inventions. Scientific thinking
was groundbreaking among Greek minds. Ideas of mathematics, astronomy,
architecture, and anatomy engrossed the public. This revolution of rational
thought dominated society and began a transition in Western Civilization
because people began using reason to explain human and natural events,
rather than the gods (Blackburn, 67). Even today, rational thought is used by all
of us and continues to influence society. The power of the modern mind has
proved greater than any other Greek could have ever expected.
The creation of rational thought began in the Greek city of Ionia. The citizens
there were open to new ideas and influenced by traders from around the world.
Laws were invented by these Ionians and written down to express the will of
their society. The greatest and most recognized Ionian thinker was a man
named Thales of Miletues. Considered one of the seven ""wises men" of the
day, Thales contemplated water and its connection with the universe.
Blackburn remarks that Thales ideas: "mark[ed] an important change in
western scientific thought" (68). Thales also used I statements when he
philosophized marking for the first time in history a human used reason and the
rational mind. Other philosophers surfaced in Ionia during this period creating
the study of the "cosmos," or universe. They also founded the study of past
human affairs or history.
This new idea of rational thought spread to the Greek capitol, Athens. Here
politics and democracy exploded. Politicians and citizens were now able to
debate issues and question justice. This form of independent thinking brought
great pride and self-confidence to members of the Greek society. This allowed
for huge successes for further philosophy, architecture, art, mathematics,
anatomy, botany, literature, and creativity.
Among the most famous of the Greek philosophers were Socrates, Plato, and
Aristotle. These three contemporary "wise men" influenced Western Civilization
with their quest for knowledge and thought, and their writings are still widely
read today! Socrates believed that knowledge was the key to good life and that
knowledge led to happy citizens with good moral conduct (Blackburn, 80). His
beliefs and questions angered many of his peers so much, that they convicted
him of corrupting society and sentenced him to death.
Plato was Socrates' student and according to Blackburn: "one of the most
influential philosophers in Western history" (80). He sought knowledge on
creating a perfect society. Also, he opened a school for rational thought called
the Academy. In this school, he stressed that knowledge was found through
debate and the conflict created from them (81). The last of the three great
Greek philosophers was Aristotle. He was a writer of logic, politics, and biology.
He summarized most of the previous knowledge of philosophy into his own
writings. Aristotle collected constitutions from many Greek states, researched
them, and provided ideas for greater political thought.
There were other philosophers during Greece's intellectual revolution, but many
debated for the thrill of winning, rather than for truth or enlightenment.
Questions arose from every debate or conversation and rational thought
exploded. Due to the rise of all the questions on life, and possible answers,
rational thought surfaced. New centers for education began opening in Greece,
and all around the world. These centers spread new ideas including: writing and
rhetoric, science, mathematics, innovations, arts, technologies, and medicines.
Philosophy and rational thinking continued to grow throughout the world in the
next few centuries. Rational thought had become the most dominant ideology
in Western Civilization. Philosophers aimed to examine human happiness, self-
control, and equality (84). Also, there was a major focus on the study of
science. Understanding the world from the human required many philosophers
to devote immense research in science. In turn this influenced how the western
world reasoned and used rational thought.
Alexandria was the site of creative inventors and scientific researchers. Citizens
there built a huge library called the "House of the Muses." The library grew to
include star observatories, lecture halls, and laboratories, and also held over
half a million manuscripts (84). Rational thought allowed scientists and
inventors a better understanding of the world around them. Mathematicians like
Euclid and Archimedes studied geometry and higher mathematics (84).
Archimedes also invented a screw pump that lifted water from the ground.
Others invented navigational instruments and mapmaking abilities for ships out
at sea, built small steam engines, and even washing machines.
Hippocrates, also called the "father of medicine"(84), studied the human body
and Herophilus even mapped out the nervous system in humans. Geographers
tried to map the world, while astronomers questioned life outside the world.
Alexandria was, unfortunately, destroyed by the Christians in the fourth
century. Imagine what the world would be like if all the knowledge and research
had made it out of Alexandria. The information that did survive the destruction
continues to help researchers to this day. According to Blackburn: "Alexandria
was thus the site of the greatest achievements in Western science and
mathematics before modern times" (84).
Overall, rational thought is something most of us take for granted. It is from the
Greek influence that we are able to think for ourselves and make rational
decisions. Great minds have helped contribute to this great civilization we live
in. The Western world has forever been changed by the ability to reason and
question reality. Many future civilizations used the thoughts of famous Greeks
and today rational thought is more powerful than ever. The most valuable
things in the world are just trinkets compared to the value of the mind.