(February 21, 2015 at 12:14 pm)Cato Wrote: Nestor,
I understand your quest to be straight philosophy or history; however, I'll recommend some of the more well known playwrights. I've always found that fiction of a period can provide historical insight, particularly regarding political and social moods.
Aeschylus, Euripides, Sophocles, Aristophanes, Plautus and Terence. Seneca also wrote plays, but has already been mentioned for his other work.
Yes, and that is fine, I only get a lip twitch when people try to treat these things as gospels. There really are no axioms that are unique to our existence. Our language always reflects our reactions to what we think good behavior is or what bad behavior is. We put them in everything, fiction, religion, political views and economic views, but it still amounts to making justifications for our own desires.
I think the more humans realize this, and accept that their is no monopoly to the planet and that no one group or individual is the center of the universe, we will make better ground in extending our finite ride.
History is important to know, but it is equally important to adapt to improve and be willing to give up on bad ideas.
