Counterfactuals and Straussian Thucydides
Use of counterfactuals in history is quite a new tendency in historiography. Journal of the Philosophy of Historiography devoted whole 2016 issue to counterfactual statements, to emphasize the importance of D. K. Lewis’s counterfactual theory of causation, when applied to the philosophy of historiography
Thucydides was the first historian to introduce the use of counterfactuals in historiography. They can be (and are, indeed) considered his special technique (Flory, Rood). Some counterfactuals are given in form «X would have happen, if A had not prevented it», some counterfactuals come as a form of reflection on how events (x) might have turned out(x) differently. Although Thucydedian scholars often
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Still, he did not write much about Thucydide’s history.
As it is widely known, Leo Strauss embraced his own way of reading great books. His method, the so-called «rediscovered esoteric reading» was meant to open way to the true meaning of ()). Also Leo Strauss was an enemy of historicism.
In my essay I want to link D. Lewis’s counterfactuals put in historical environment (and Thucydide’s history will serve as a show material) , and L.Strauss’s view on historians, Thucydides.
Counterfactual statements give an opportunity to show, how something could have happened in some other way. So, it servers to refutation of historical determinism; counterfactuals wide out the horizon and make possible to view more, deeper. X.X. says that counterfactuals demonstrate the singularity of events.
But Leo Strauss calls Thucydides not a mere historian, but a political philosopher, and Thucydides with singular events shows in fact the universality of human’s nature. When describing вфпавшие на долю Афин невзгоды, Thucydides states подобные бесчинства будут продолжаться и в будущем: «человеческая природа, которая склонна… взяла верх». So, what
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I argue that in historical counterfactuals, made by Thucydides himself in author’s voice are the ones where power, politics and the humane meet. When we consider some point as a possible one and when we discuss other possibilities or alternatives, actually we find something universal. This point might be illustrated with a quote from Strauss’s lecture on Thucydides. When discussing the «why the peloponessian war» issue, Strauss says that if we are to consider any alternative, we are talking about something which could be find in PW, in some PW+, PW++, e t.c. Something substantial, something universal. Or, when painting a picture of all the unjust and terrible мучений, выпавших на долю афин, Thucydides states that the human nature never changes and goes further, saying that similar бесчинства are very likely to occur in future as well (««человеческая природа, которая склонна… взяла верх».) and his counterfactuals only add their cents to the account on the human nature issue. (Among other instances of counterfactuals 2.18.4, 3.82.1, 3.113.6, 8.87.4, 8.96.4 can be
These mythical individuals show characteristics that are both valued and those that could be seen as inferior. In Sallust’s Conspiracy of Catiline, Catiline, the antagonist of his own story, is described as having some of these characteristics and how he displays them changes others perspective on him. With each of these characteristics that a Roman would have seen as positive were painted in a negative light because Sallust tells the audience instances where Catiline used these gifts in harmful ways. In contrast Aeneas, in Virgil’s Aeneid, is described and assigned what are thought of as the same Roman attributes, but these are held a positive approach compared to Sallust’s description of Catiline. The first example of this can be seen in the fifth section Sallust tells the audience of Catiline’s noble upbringing and is described as intelligent, ambitious, and as a brilliant solider.
ustice, fairness, and decency, abstract concepts that are innate in society and human nature. However, despite their near universal status in humanities mid, they often have different meanings for individuals. Aeschylus uses The Oresteia in order to explore these issues as characters in the play try to determine what it means to be just, what ought a just actor do, and what is the best model for achieving justice. The characters discuss ideas such as vengeance, reciprocity, balance, moderation, and finally the end result of the implied debate leads to a jury system. In this paper I will go over two of the several different interpretations of justice used in the Oresteia and compare and contrast them in order to demonstrate which is the best
Forgione University and has a Bachelor of arts in classics and Ph.D. in classics from Duke university. Therefore, as he has comprehensive knowledge on the topic it can be inferred that the source is significantly reliable. This source is written academically and passively so it doesn 't demonstrate any bias, hence enhancing the reliability as there are only facts stated and there are not any opinions persuading the reader. The source cites a variety of primary sources this means that the information provided is substantiated improving the reliability. This source provided information to my essay that was influential in proving my thesis it explicitly stated the facts on the Athenian tribes and on the procedures carried out in the ancient Greeks form of the democratic system.
As an example of this, Whitmarsh cites one of historian Thucydides’ most prominent works, the History of the Peloponnesian War. Having studied pre-Socratic philosophy to the extent in which he was rumored to be an Atheist, Thucydides solidified his position through his historical account of the infamous war between Athens and Sparta (Whitmarsh 82). Unlike many historians of his time, Thucydides actively rejected divine or supernatural interpretations of the war, endeavoring to only record naturalistic causality while deliberately criticizing the invocation of deities in alternate accounts. Consequently, the History of the Peloponnesian War serves as the earliest known “Atheist narrative” of history
Discovery of such history had a profound impact on Equality such as when he read the word “I”. It is through man’s writing in which Equality came to understand “the blessed thing which (he) had called (his) curse” (98). This writing had such a positive impact on Equality that he decided to “write the first chapter of new history of man” so that it would be eternal (101). It is through his writing, that Prometheus will be remembered not as a number, but as a hero who vanquishes collectivism. His eternal message cautions the reader of the dangers of an irrational society so that someday man will think twice before chaining himself to the word
Through thorough analysis of Zeus’ interaction with Prometheus in both Hesiod’s Theogony and Aeschylus’ Prometheus Bound, this essay will be able to clarify which one of the authors had the most accurate
Socrates presents this myth in order to demonstrate how lying is beneficial to the rule of the state. It is clear to contemporary readers that the citizens of Kallipolis are not truly equal, the same statement can be said of the citizens of the United States. The Myth of Metals seems to persist in ways that are not as fanciful as describe in The Republic, but through social stratification.
Written in Classical Greek, it has been translated into dozens of languages, including Old English and modern English, and kept the ancient traditions, morality, and stories alive centuries after the author’s passing. As the “Father of History”, Herodotus holds a status of academic immortality, and through his work we have a foundation for how to keep record of history for future generations to know and almost place themselves in those times. What reading Clio has reminded me of is the importance of history to the world, and how this book and its eight brethren were the blueprints for all future historical writings. It shows how well recordkeeping can stand the test of time, and how keeping information and knowledge of the past can continue to teach and shape the
This book has given me a greater understanding on the Classics as a whole. The book touches on a plethora of classical topics in chapter 2, and often compares the western civilization to our west. The author also gave me better understanding of the time periods. I didn’t know slaves had better treatment than the free people in Persia at the time, or that war was an enormous role in Classics age. From the western civilization class I’ve took earlier this year, this books discuss the importance of money in a war, when Sparta beat Athens, or when Rome beat the Carthaginians because of the new money they received to build ships.
A good example is the accident before the Battle of Salamis when the Pythia first predicted doom and later predicted that a 'wooden wall' would save them. The lack of a strict religious set of rules associated
The Hellenistic period saw scholars who concentrated on reason as opposed to the mission for truth. These logicians had a key view for reason as the way to tackling issues, and they prevented the likelihood from claiming achieving truth. Rather, we see philosophers return to a dependence on confidence - tolerating the failure to know truth. The major philosophical gatherings of this period incorporate the Cynics, Epicureans, Stoics, and Skeptics. Not at all like the Hellenic time frame, not very many individual rationalists existed free of these schools of
Bothered by Socrates’ logic, Thrasymachus presents a revised version of his previous argument. Thrasymachus says that injustice is stronger than justice and that it most definitely results in a happier life. The example he uses (of a powerful dictator who is made happy through injustice is a reference to his earlier example that justice is used to the advantage of the stronger). Thrasymachus has not greatly changed the principle of his argument, just using alternate examples.
Introduction The history of Western civilization was influenced by the Ancient Greece in more than a few ways, for instance, they inspired various achievements that shaped the early foundation of civilization in the west, and other parts of the world. Some of these developments arose during renaissance and industrial revolution, and impacted on various aspects of the modern world including philosophy, politics, education, and religion. Essentially, the Greeks accomplished great feats in these aspects of life, and the Ancient Greek Culture is popularly known as the birthplace of Western civilization. The purpose of this essay is to analyze how the ancient Greek’s political structure played an important role in the world history considering the fact that it had a noteworthy influence on Western Civilization.
It can be seen as a trend throughout history that stories reflect a society’s culture and values. One of the most memorable and inspirational civilization that made a substantial contribution to literature was Greece. Sophocles, a renowned Greek playwright, is beloved for his dramatic and action-filled plays that effectively satisfied the ancient audience. In Sophocles’ tragic play, Oedipus the King, the main character, Oedipus finds difficulty proclaiming his purpose against the fate bestowed upon him by the gods. Alongside his struggling, the values and cultural aspects of the Greeks emerge, reflecting their views on society during that time period at which the play was produced.
Sometimes while writing a historical fiction, events become more factual than fictional. A perfect example of this happening in a historical fiction, is the book Pompeii by Robert Harris. Pompeii takes place in 79 AD during the days prior to the destructive eruption of Mount Vesuvius which destroyed all of the Roman town Pompeii. The location of the book are the cities or towns that surround the Aqua Augusta, such as Misenum and Pompeii. Harris’s exceptionally descriptive anecdote of the events leading to the volcanic eruptions implores readers to wonder if some of the events in this fictional story could have actually happened.