Western Civilization
The term, western civilization, refers to a series of cultures that evolved and diffused over time, and impacted societies across the world. Western civilization, “walks on two legs, one Hebrew, and one Greek”, and the western world view concerning ethical human behavior and social justice has its roots in both Hebrew and Greek thought.
Social justice, the treatment of human beings, was developed by the Hebrews and Greeks. During the age of classical prophecy, the religious thoughts of the Hebrews were broadened and expanded upon. Prophets castigated the avarice of the affluent and the oppression and exploitation of the impoverished. The words from Deuteronomy reflect the Hebrew’s changed beliefs, by stating, “You shall …show more content…
The Greeks valued xenia, hospitality, and moderation. The Odyssey, an epic though about the turbulent journey of an epic hero named Odysseus, is an excellent illustration of Greek values and thought. In The Odyssey, Odysseus is washed ashore onto the island of Scheria, after eighteen days of drifting over the sea. Nausicaa, the white armed Phaeacian princess, discovers Odysseus, and although Odysseus appears to be a weathered stranger she says, “But now, since it is our land and our city that you have come to, you shall not lack for clothing nor anything else, of those gifts which should befall the unhappy suppliant on his arrival “ (6: 191-193). The Odyssey shows how hospitality was a practiced tradition of the Greeks. The Greeks also valued self control, and shied from hubris, excessive pride. The Odysseus is a tragedy, describing how one hero’s excessive pride, led to his return home“... late, in bad case, with the loss of all his companions, in someone else’s ship, to find troubles in his household” (9: 528-532). The Odyssey warns its listeners and readers of the repercussions of excessive pride. The Greeks also believed in a just character. The Odyssey conveys this belief when Penelope, Odysseus’ wife, says, “If a man is cruel by nature, cruel in action, the mortal world will call down curses on his head while he is alive, and all will mock his memory after death. But then if a man is kind by nature, kind in action, his guests will carry his fame across the earth and people all will praise him from the heart” (19: 378-383). In regard to human behavior and character, the Greeks valued hospitality, temperance, and
The term, western civilization, refers to a series of cultures that evolved and diffused over time, and impacted societies across the world. Western civilization, “walks on two legs, one Hebrew, and one Greek”, and the western world view concerning ethical human behavior and social justice has its roots in both Hebrew and Greek thought.
Social justice, the treatment of human beings, was developed by the Hebrews and Greeks. During the age of classical prophecy, the religious thoughts of the Hebrews were broadened and expanded upon. Prophets castigated the avarice of the affluent and the oppression and exploitation of the impoverished. The words from Deuteronomy reflect the Hebrew’s changed beliefs, by stating, “You shall …show more content…
The Greeks valued xenia, hospitality, and moderation. The Odyssey, an epic though about the turbulent journey of an epic hero named Odysseus, is an excellent illustration of Greek values and thought. In The Odyssey, Odysseus is washed ashore onto the island of Scheria, after eighteen days of drifting over the sea. Nausicaa, the white armed Phaeacian princess, discovers Odysseus, and although Odysseus appears to be a weathered stranger she says, “But now, since it is our land and our city that you have come to, you shall not lack for clothing nor anything else, of those gifts which should befall the unhappy suppliant on his arrival “ (6: 191-193). The Odyssey shows how hospitality was a practiced tradition of the Greeks. The Greeks also valued self control, and shied from hubris, excessive pride. The Odysseus is a tragedy, describing how one hero’s excessive pride, led to his return home“... late, in bad case, with the loss of all his companions, in someone else’s ship, to find troubles in his household” (9: 528-532). The Odyssey warns its listeners and readers of the repercussions of excessive pride. The Greeks also believed in a just character. The Odyssey conveys this belief when Penelope, Odysseus’ wife, says, “If a man is cruel by nature, cruel in action, the mortal world will call down curses on his head while he is alive, and all will mock his memory after death. But then if a man is kind by nature, kind in action, his guests will carry his fame across the earth and people all will praise him from the heart” (19: 378-383). In regard to human behavior and character, the Greeks valued hospitality, temperance, and