Chapter 12: Hellenism

Chapter 12: Hellenism page 126

• Aristotle near the end of fourth century B.C. right up to the middle Ages around A.D. 400.

• Notice that we can now write both B.C. and A.D. because Christianity was in fact one of the most important , and most mysterious, factor of the period.

• This marked the beginning of a new epoch in the history of mankind. A civilization sprang up in which the Greek culture and language played a leading.

• This period, which lasted for about 300 years, is known as Hellenism page 126

• The term Hellenism refers to both the period of time and the Greek- dominated culture that prevailed in the three Hellenistic kingdoms of Macedonia, Syria, and Egypt.

• Religion, Philosophy and Science page 127

• Syncretism: the attempted reconciliation or union of different or opposing principles, practices, or parties, as in philosophy or religion.

• But as the borders became erased many people began to experience doubt and uncertainty about their philosophy of life.

• The main emphasis was on finding out what true happiness was and how it could be achieved. We are going to look at four of these philosophical trends.

• The Cynics page 129

One day Socrates stood gazing at a stall that sold all kinds of wares. Finally he said, “What a lot of things I don’t need!”
This statement could be the motto for the cynic school of philosophy, founded by Antisthenes in Athens around 400 B.C.
The cynic emphasized that true happiness is not found in external advantages such as material luxury, political power, or good health.

***True happiness lies in not being dependent on such random and fleeting things. Page 129
The story of Diogenes: lived in a barrel and owned nothing but a cloak, a stick, and a bread bag. Page 129

The Stoics page 129
• Stoic School founder was Zeno
• The name “Stoic” comes from the Greek word for portico (stoa).
• Stoicism: repression of emotion and indifference to pleasure or pain. Page 130
• Monism: the notion of a single element as primary determinant of behavior, social action, or institutional relations.
• “Stoic Calm” about someone who does not let his feeling take over page 131

The Epicureans page 131
• Aristippus “The highest good is pleasure, “ he said. The greatest evil is pain.
• Founded a school of philosophy and his followers were called Epicureans.
• Example of chocolate and “side effects page 131
• Unlike animals we are able to plan our lives.
• Chocolate is good, but a new bike or a trip to England is better.
• Live for the moment!

Neoplatonism page 133
• Plotinus believed that the world is a span between two poles. At one end is the divine light which he calls the one (God) At the other end is absolute darkness.

Mysticism page 135
A mysticism experience of merging with god or the “cosmic spirit”

WESTERN MYSTICISM: Judaism, Christianity and Islam