The Greek Spirit

[really]

One often hears the expression "The Greek Spirit". Is it a Greek concept? How would Greek persons interpret it to mean? Please tell us in your words, as I am not looking for dictionary definitions, but just to hear your feelings and/or interpretations about it.

[Prokomenos]

Thats a good question and honestly I cant think of a real good definition to describe it. Id say it has to do a lot with pride, culture and personality..

[really]

I thought it would be an easy question for the Greek members to answer.

The Greek spirit means to me the fire and energy within, the curiosity for everything in life and more, the eagerness to do all that man can do and more, the openness of mind, the search for the truth, etc.

To me, Mikis Theodorakis and Zorba embody what I envision to be the Greek spirit. It is that simple. :)

[Ellinas]

I would say it depents what we are talking about. Greek spirit in general or Greek spirit on a human.

When I hear the expression "The Greek Spirit" my mind goes in the general meaning of the world. I think of the Hellenic ideals like Justice, Mental Freedom and Freedom of expression, Friendship, Valour, Morality, Dialogue, Olympism etc. and Hellenism in general.

Regarding Greek spirit on a human, I will agree with what really said and I will add that the human who has the Greek spirit in his soul, is a supporter of the above ideals.

[really]

Well said, Ellinas. :)

It struck me though that you mentioned Justice and Friendship.

Friendship I can understand, because I know friendship for Greek people means real friendship, not just mere acquaintances (nowadays, we call everyone a friend after meeting him 5 minutes
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).

Would you like to elaborate a little bit more on Justice for me, please? I can't remember any example in Plato, for example, maybe because I have not read about it yet.

[Ellinas]

Originally Posted by really
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Well said, Ellinas. :)

It struck me though that you mentioned Justice and Friendship.

Friendship I can understand, because I know friendship for Greek people means real friendship, not just mere acquaintances (nowadays, we call everyone a friend after meeting him 5 minutes
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).

Would you like to elaborate a little bit more on Justice for me, please? I can't remember any example in Plato, for example, maybe because I have not read about it yet.

Since the ancient times in Greece Justice (ΔΙΚΑΙΟΣΥΝΗ) was considered a virtue, a moral value. Personally with Justice I understand fair dealing between people, and the equality of all people before the laws, regardless the social degree or the connections a person can have.

I admit that I am not an ardent reader of our philosophers so I can't note something specific mentioned by Platon regarding Justice. But anyone who has basic knownledge of Hellenism is able to notice the presence of Justice in the Hellenic ethics and ideals.

Well, the current judicial system of Greece has many problems, and someone can easily say that it is far from the Hellenic ideals, but that's another converation, and big one.

[Prokomenos]

Originally Posted by Ellinas
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Since the ancient times in Greece Justice (ΔΙΚΑΙΟΣΥΝΗ) was considered a virtue, a moral value. Personally with Justice I understand fair dealing between people, and the equality of all people before the laws, regardless the social degree or the connections a person can have.

I admit that I am not an ardent reader of our philosophers so I can't note something specific mentioned by Platon regarding Justice. But anyone who has basic knownledge of Hellenism is able to notice the presence of Justice in the Hellenic ethics and ideals.

Well, the current judicial system of Greece has many problems, and someone can easily say that it is far from the Hellenic ideals, but that's another converation, and big one.

The same could be said for every government which claims to practise Democracy. I think its impossible to have a true Democracy..

[really]

Thanks Ellinas. Very nicely put, I like what you said about "equality of all people before the laws".

I agree you have only to look at Hellenism to find not only Justice but also the other ideals we have mentioned. The reason I referred to Plato is because, as one of the major philosophers, he is a point of reference to me. I believe it is from the philosophers' ideas that Hellenism was formed which infiltrated not only the Greek "mentality" or Greek spirit, but the whole Western culture.

As a Greek, I guess you don't need to read the Greek philosophers, as their philosophies form part of you.
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Prokomenos, you are right, there cannot be a perfect democracy. If I remember correctly, one argument that is sometimes raised is how come the Ancient Greeks talked about democracy while there were slaves in their cities.

[Prokomenos]

Originally Posted by really
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Thanks Ellinas. Very nicely put, I like what you said about "equality of all people before the laws".

I agree you have only to look at Hellenism to find not only Justice but also the other ideals we have mentioned. The reason I referred to Plato is because, as one of the major philosophers, he is a point of reference to me. I believe it is from the philosophers' ideas that Hellenism was formed which infiltrated not only the Greek "mentality" or Greek spirit, but the whole Western culture.

As a Greek, I guess you don't need to read the Greek philosophers, as their philosophies form part of you.
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Prokomenos, you are right, there cannot be a perfect democracy. If I remember correctly, one argument that is sometimes raised is how come the Ancient Greeks talked about democracy while there were slaves in their cities.

Everything sounds good when put down in paper but most of the time they dont work 100%...

[really]

The usual theory v. practice, I guess. :)