Reflection
“The world must be made safe for democracy. Its peace must be planted upon the tested foundations of political liberty. We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no dominion. We seek no indemnities for ourselves, no material compensation for the sacrifices we shall freely make. We are but one of the champions of the rights of mankind. We shall be satisfied when those rights have been made as secure as the faith and the freedom of nations can make them” - The Bouletic oath, Cleisthenes
Reflecting on a Memorable Learning Experience
A learning experience that I will always remember was being able to dissect the status of a “hero” and how historical Greece was filled with such prominent icons. There are certain figures that were particularly different from the rest. For example, the archon of Democracy, Cleisthenes, strived to better himself as an individual, leader, and most importantly a hero in the eyes of Athenian citizens. It was when I learned of Cleisthenes, and his greatness, that made me enamored with the concept of being a “hero.” This concept makes me passionate to learn more about being heroic, studying the philosophy of historical figures such as Marcus Aurelius, Cleisthenes, and Zeno of Citium. These figures were able to reach thousands not by wealth, natural power, or war, but by the rhetoric of ethos and pathos. They helped inspire individuals through their eloquent language, creating such emphasis on ordinary citizens achieving self-righteous success. Learning about the greats and their knowledge helped give me foresight upon my own goal of trying to support others around me. As I personally believe that surrounding yourself with enthusiastic learners will lead to rewarding insight from embracing valuable viewpoints from the whole. Today, although I may not hold the right answer, I strive to embrace different perspectives as a catalyst for creating beneficial action for all.