Our time, our world - its origin
OP - July 13, 2010, 12:57 PM
Our world today has many facets to it. Geopolitics, religion, and science have the forefront. I am curious as to what others think the origin of today's world. what ideas helped shape it. This is a broad question so narrow your answer to the origin of a specific principle of the modern world.
in relation to the way life is perceived in the west I would trace its origin to the philosopher Epicurus. Epicurus taught that the main goal in life is the pursuit of pleasure and to avoid suffering. People would find happiness doing the things that they enjoyed such as being outside in the fresh air and sitting down to a meal with friends. Epicurus felt that all people, regardless who they may be, have a right to happiness and this is reflected by the fact that he allowed women and slaves into his circle. Perhaps the most revolutionary idea, and the one he has gotten grief for centuries, is that the gods are not concerned with human affairs.
Musa, mihi causas memora, quo numine laeso,
quidve dolens, regina deum tot volvere casus
insignem pietate virum, tot adire labores
impulerit. Tantaene animis caelestibus irae?
-the Aeneid