The Influence of Hellenic Philosophy on the Contemporary World

Book excerpt: This book consists of 21 papers on the influence of Ancient Greek philosophy on the contemporary world. It covers such areas as history, economy, art and architecture, mythology and the Riddle of Tartessus, along with an introductory essay by Professor P. Pavlopoulos, the President of the Hellenic Republic. The volume discusses a great variety of topics, including the contribution of the ancient Greek spirit to the development of contemporary western civilization, a conflict between Newton and Democritus, the side effects of natural disasters from classical Antiquity until the present day, and the contribution of ancient Greece to neuroscience. Contributions also explore the genetic origin of the Greeks, the influence of Ancient Greek architecture on neoclassical facades, the myth of Theseus, Hephaestus, and the Smith God of the Two Lame Legs. This book will be an essential resource for philosophers, philologists, educators, archaeologists, historians, and the lay reader with an interest in Ancient Greece.