Abstract This paper discusses why the study of the Ancient Greeks matter to the citizens of the West in the twenty-first century. Specifically, the paper analyzes Thomas Cahill's work, "Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea: Why the Greeks Matter" and describes the arguments that Cahill presents as to why we should study the Ancient Greeks. The paper also touches on the negative effects of the Greek legacy as well as the positive.
From the Paper "Greece was an undeniably patriarchal society, and women were excluded from political enfranchisement. In understanding the Greek assumptions regarding the warrior-citizen ideal, Cahill believes we may better unburden ourselves of our own obsession with violence as a benchmark of a society's greatness. The presence of both Zeus and Demeter is there: "If Demeter takes us back to an agricultural way of life that imagined Earth and its manifestations as aspects of maternal nurturing, the strident gods of Olympus, challenging and overthrowing one another, males always primed for battle and sexual conquest, females seizing control only by wheedling indirection, are projections of a warrior culture that set victory in armed combat above all other goals--or at least seemed to, for there are always, deep within any society, dreams that run in another, even in a contrary, direction from its articulated purposes" (Cahill 5). We cannot undo the negative effects of the Greek legacy if we do not strive to understand the complexities of Greek civilization, its obsessions and its gifts."
Abstract This paper examines Thomas Cahill's "The Gifts of the Jews: How a Tribe of Desert Nomads Changed the Way Everyone Thinks and Feels," a radical reinterpretation of what Jews have brought to western civilization and a retelling of Biblical stories. It discusses how the theme of the books seems to be revisioning the history of the Jews, who are usually thought of as a beleaguered wandering tribe of peoples who were the victims of unthinkable horror and unbelievable hatred. It sets out to show that we owe the Jews the shape of western civilization. It looks at how the Jews gave us freedom, a day of rest and the concept of monotheism.
From the Paper "Cahill makes many interesting points. One of them is that the reason the Bible has those long, incantatory, and often narcoleptic genealogies, is that by listing individual's names, even women's names, the Jews are saying that every individual counts. Their history and contribution counts. he Bible is remarkable for how often it tells the stories of ?ordinary people.? In a way, this is reminiscent of the meaning and success of Maya Lin's Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. Each name has meaning, and that meaning builds as the list of names builds. As the Jewish saying goes, ?If you save one life, you save the world entire.?"
Abstract In this paper, the writer examines the book 'The Gifts of the Jews' by Thomas Cahill. The writer looks at the underlying values of Judaism. In this article, the importance of monotheism is also discussed. In addition, the writer looks at the covenant between God and man.
From the Paper "Thomas Cahill states in the first page of 'The Gifts of the Jews' that the Jews started it all and by 'it', I mean so many of the things we care about the underlying values that make all of us Jew and Gentile believer and atheist tick. Throughout his text, Cahill identifies a number of gifts given to Western civilization by the Jews including the very idea of vocation of a personal destiny as well as what may well be the most ... "
Abstract This paper examines the Greek mythological master piece "Sailing In The Wine Dark Sea" written by Thomas Cahill, with special reference to educational issues being derived from the Greek civilization. The book reflects Greek civilization being primordial in such a way that the totality of human culture seems to originate from within it. Hence, along with the rich ancient heritage of art, philosophy, and semantics the Greeks passed down a number of repulsive elements in the field of education and its acquisition.
Contents:
Abstract
"Sailing In The Wine Dark Sea" -Why the Greeks Matter
Historical Issues In Modern Education
Conclusion
From the Paper "This eminence and brilliance of the Greek civilization has been admired, acknowledged and elucidated in a tour that spans warriors, politicians, thinkers, playwrights and a pantheon of deities. Thus, Thomas Cahill has illuminated the epitomes of a Greek experience by touching all aspects of their society and providing a Greek link to every aspect of our contemporary life. Cahill's scrutinized the history for the object of developing a better understanding for our contemporary world. He breathes life into the dead and the bygone by considering similar routes trodden a million years ago, so that scholars can carry out a comparative study and understand what led to the present consequences. In this way they can get a better understanding of how men and women, our culture, semantics, society and intellect has been molded the way it has. Also, this book provides a reference point, a justification and a substantiation of present scenarios and helps us in eliminating the root of issues that hinder the acquisition of education and issues historically seeded therein. "
This paper discusses how unequal educational funding is a large contributor to the race and class disparity in success rates in the United States and examines some successful alternatives that would provide strong incentives and more equal funding.
Abstract This paper deals with the historical development of educational funding and the several attempts over the past 40 years to equalize funding between rich and poor communities. The paper then presents three case studies of states that have adopted new programs that try to eliminate much of the disparity while recognizing the race and community issues associated with underprivileged schools. This paper seeks to urge that these alternatives be adopted nationally.
From the Paper "There has seldom been doubt throughout much of American history that the State does not have a responsibility to educate its citizens. Although this doctrine holds true, there is undoubtedly a strong public sentiment that a state should provide quality education for all. However, it is also clear that what is considered "quality" does not amount to the same thing for every student. Although the Supreme Court has largely eliminated overt race and gender discrimination, the fight has moved to hide the racial division with something more politically correct?money. The current system of school financing in most states undoubtedly furthers racial division within the United States."
