Chapter 4

After reading chapter four, Zoroastrianism and Greek rationalism had left me with a major question that needed answering. How did society in the Classical Era become so advanced in its time of logical thinking, whereas today, our society has not much of any social advancement.

The Zoroastrian religion was very interesting to read in Strayer's book because it was wide spread throughout Persia, but did not have a major effect outside of the realm. The religion is very similar to Judaism, with the aspect of a savior (Messiah), a one true god (Ahura Mazda), and an emphasis on the apocalyptic event or judgement day where those who side with Ahura Mazda will be granted eternal life in paradise (heaven). Those who do not side with Ahura Mazda and side with evil will be condemned to live in everlasting punishment. After the Greeks conquered the Persian Empire, Zoroastrianism struggled through looting of churches, killing of priests, and sacred writing being burned. However, the biggest threat to Zoroastrianism was the spread of Islam and as a result, Zoroastrianism had the same outcome as Buddhism, where the religion exists outside of its origin. Judaism adopted many of the ideas of Zoroastrianism because there were many Jews living in the Persian Empire and at its height of power, the Persian Empire expanded from Anatolia to parts of modern day India. Even though strayer does not take a position on it, I believe that the Jews adopted some of the Zoroastrian beliefs because they went through a lot of suffering under the Greeks and Romans.

In Greece, philosophy was the cultural tradition in the democracy of Athens. Philosophers which included Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle had a significant impact on logos or reason. Their main topics focused on the philosophical questions of politics, society, and logic. Socrates is known as the father of philosophy and his work only survived through his students' notes. Plato was mentored by Socrates and wrote arguably the best known book, The Republic, which discusses Socrates' dialogue on the definition of what is justice. The most famous allegory, or metaphor in Plato's Republic is the Allegory of the Cave. The Allegory of the Cave focuses on a man escaping his bonds to the imitations of truth and climbs out of the cave. Upon reaching the sun or light, he is blinded. But as he gets used to the truth, he ascends back down to the cave to spread his reason or wisdom to the others, even if it leads to his death. This is the meaning of the "philosopher king," one who risks his life to teach those about the rule of the rational part of the soul (logic) over the appetitive (desires) and spiritive (emotions). The Greek culture lasted throughout the years due in part to the Roman Empire and the survival of writings from the philosophers.