#12897
Mentioned in 2 episodes

The Greeks and the Irrational

Book • 1949
In 'The Greeks and the Irrational,' E.R.

Dodds challenges the long-held notion of the ancient Greeks as paragons of rational thought.

Originating from a series of lectures given at Berkeley in 1949, the book employs anthropology and psychology to understand the Greek mind.

Dodds reveals how the Greeks navigated a world filled with supernatural beliefs, magical practices, and psychic phenomena, which were deeply embedded in their culture.

He argues that the Greeks did not see a clear-cut division between rational thought and non-rational belief but rather an interplay between the two.

The book explores various aspects of Greek irrationality, including anxieties, guilt, and the transition from a shame culture to a guilt culture.

It is a landmark in the field of Greek studies, offering a nuanced and comprehensive view of ancient Greek culture.

Mentioned by

Mentioned in 2 episodes

Mentioned by
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Carl Ruck
and Brian Muraresku in the context of their discussion on Greek culture and irrationality.
38 snips
183. The Immortality Key; Psychedelics and the Ancient Age | Brian Muraresku & Prof. Carl Ruck
Mentioned by
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John Price
and
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Gregory Shaw
, discussing Dodds' description of theurgy and critique of Iamblichus.
124 - Gregory Shaw: The Ancient Art of Theurgy, Hellenic Tantra

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