Friday, May 15, 2020
Racism African American Land And African Slave Trade
Racism is a quandary thatââ¬â¢s all too familiar in our modern society. Itââ¬â¢s an issue that dates back thousands of years and is very much noticeable in American history. Since the domination of Native American land and African Slave Trade, weââ¬â¢ve come a long way, but racism still has a lingering presence and perhaps always will. The years between 1870 and 1900 began the age of segregation. The late 19th century in the US involved the increase of both nativism and racism. White supremacy lasted with traditions, and the nationââ¬â¢s patriotic fervor escalated the antiforeign tone. About ninety percent of blacks still lived in the South, and racist ideology fought to take discriminatory control. These ideas became known as the Jim Crow laws. The phrase ââ¬Å"Jim Crowâ⬠characterized every African American, indicating no distinction between them. As immature as it may sound now, the phrase caused severe divisions between the whites and the blacks. ââ¬Å"White On lyâ⬠and ââ¬Å"Coloredâ⬠signs proliferated on many facilities such as parks, theaters, toilets, buses, and drinking fountains. Blacks had to wait in line a lot longer until all whites were served and couldnââ¬â¢t try on clothing or accessories before purchasing them. Just when things couldnââ¬â¢t get worse, even the federal courts have given up on living up to the equality that they so proudly boast. The Supreme Courtââ¬â¢s decisions in the Civil Rights Cases of 1883 completely wiped clean the Civil Rights Act of 1875 and continued its discriminatoryShow MoreRelatedLEQ1206 Words à |à 5 Pagestime period prior to the development of the Atlantic slave trade and the time period right after its introduction and assess the impact of its emergence. To what extent did African slavery change American society? You may want to consider social, economic, and geographical. Prior to the Atlantic slave trade, the arable land along the South Atlantic seaboard were owned by wealth landowners and farmed primarily by either Native American slaves or white indentured servants. Beginning in the late 16thRead MoreRacism - A History : The Color Of Money1063 Words à |à 5 PagesReflection on Documentary: Racism ââ¬â A History: The Colour of Money Documentary: Racism ââ¬â A History: The Colour of Money provides a powerful illustration of the historical origins and basis of institutionalized racism. The six short episodes explore and chronicle centuries of European attitudes and practices regarding race and the transatlantic slave trade of Africans. It underscores how economics served as the driving force behind slavery. The documentary highlights that although slavery existedRead MoreAfrican People s Fight For Independence And Racial Equality Essay1240 Words à |à 5 Pages Racism The definition of racism is the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races. Nelson Mandela an iconic figure for the black movement once said ââ¬Å"No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturallyRead MoreReparations For Slavery During The Civil War1712 Words à |à 7 PagesReconstruction Era after the Civil War many freed slaves were promised 40 acres of land, as a form of reparations.(Staff www.The Root.com) However, this became an empty promise and nothing was enforced to help African Americans become socially, economically, or politically leveled with white Americans since. African Americans were enslaved to work for big corporations and never received any form of wages after t he abolishment of slavery. Businesses that thrived off slave labor continued to succeed after the SlaveryRead More The Development of Racism Essay1259 Words à |à 6 PagesThe Development of Racism Slaverys twin legacies to the present are the social and economic inferiority it conferred upon blacks and the cultural racism it instilled in whites. Both continue to haunt our society. Therefore, treating slaverys enduring legacy is necessarily controversial. Unlike slavery, racism is not over yet. (Loewen 143) Racism can be defined as any set of beliefs, which classifies humanity into distinct collectives, defined in terms of natural and/or cultural attributesRead MoreCultural Exchange Between Europeans And Native Americans957 Words à |à 4 PagesThe one most historically significant effect of the cultural exchange between Europeans, Native Americans, and Africans is racism. Racism is such a huge effect from this cultural exchange because the Europeans and Native Americans relationship was ruined by the Europeans thinking they were superior to them, the Europeans turned to Africans for trade as well as labor to build their society in the Americas knowing that they were lesser than themselves, and finally Europeans could build a new worldRead MoreU.s. Slavery Reparations972 Words à |à 4 PagesShould African Americans Receive Reparations? Racism and hate have played a major role in United States history. These words have been the fuel behind slavery, inhuman treatment, and genocides. The Kosovo, Native Americans, Japanese, and African Americans are some of the prominent races that have been affected by racism and hate. The U.S. have given reparations to the victims of Kosovo, Native American, and Japanese, but no reparation have been given to African Americans. For fiveRead MoreThe Impact of the Slave Trade on Africa1298 Words à |à 5 PagesPrior to the Atlantic Slave trade, African way of life was well developed and prosperous in all aspects including their political, economic, cultural, and societal organizations. According to the documentary ââ¬Å"King and Cityâ⬠the political structure in Africa included royal officials, royal slaves, and noblemen, along with a constitutional monarchy and a judicial system. The judicial system was made up of two courts, the court of first instance and the co urt of appeal directly to the king also knownRead MoreNegative Impact Of Racism In America1702 Words à |à 7 Pages In American history one of the greatest issues that people face everyday is racism. To some this may seem like a bold word and they wouldnââ¬â¢t exactly use this to define their actions, but belittling someone because of their skin color or physical attributes and making oneself feel superior by doing so is exactly what racism is. The dictionary definition states, ââ¬Å" Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one s own race is superiorRead MoreThe Atlantic Slave Trade Does Still Impact Racism Today1164 Words à |à 5 PagesThe Atlantic slave trade does still impact racism today in the US. The struggles over slavery gave a civil war, segregation, Jim Crow laws, and finally a civil rights movement to help us move forward and progress. Many scholars argue that slavery created racism, in the artificial categories of black and white. Racism was created, at least in large part, to justify slavery. To dumb it down for people who really don t understand is racism is basically racial prejudice or discrimination. Some may
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Effective Writing Style in Hemingways The Sun Also Rises...
Effective Writing Style in Hemingways The Sun Also Rises ââ¬Å"The bull charged as Romero charged. Romeroââ¬â¢s left hand dropped the muleta over the bullââ¬â¢s muzzle to blind him, his left shoulder went forward between the horns as the sword went in and for just an instant he and the bull were oneâ⬠(p. 222). Ernest Hemingway is one of the greatest American authors of all time. With his ability to pull the reader into the unfolding story and make them feel like one of the characters, Hemingway excels at showing how a story can take on a life of its own if written correctly. One novel that displays Hemingways unique style of writing is The Sun Also Rises (1926). Set in Paris and the Spanish city of Pamplona, this novel is a story of aâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦Along with this stripped type of narration, Hemingway uses three different aspects of the six trait writing system to allow Jake Barnes to describe his life in a style that is unique to Hemingway. The Sun Also Rises is a story full of complex emotions and hidden agendas. Hemingway uses sentence fluency to reveal these hidden traits and emotions of his characters. Sentence fluency is achieved by avoiding redundancy, using creative phrasing, and creating a certain rhythm and flow throughout the body of writing (Six Trait. . .). While Hemingway uses some of the traits of sentence fluency in the novel, the reader is drawn mostly to the lack of sentence fluency in sections. One such example is when Jake returns from an evening out with friends. There was a crest on the announcement. Like Zizi the Greek duke. And that count. The count was funny. Brett had a title, too. Lady Ashley. To hell with Brett. To hell with you, Lady Ashley (p. 38). This sudden outburst of emotion, which abruptly disrupts the flow of the page, reveals a certain aspect of Jakes character that hints at past events that caused a negative light to be shed on Lady Ashleys character. This sublimina l introduction of a characters traits by using sentence fluency is just one of the many ways that Hemingways style of writing is different from other authors. This novel is very interesting in that it is set inShow MoreRelated Hemingways The Sun Also Rises Essay1338 Words à |à 6 PagesHemingways The Sun Also Rises Hemingway sat down to write The Sun Also Rises on September 15,1925 and only six days later, the first draft was complete with the title of Fiesta. The first draft was almost a direct journalistic account of his experience in Paris and Spain, with the names of the characters corresponding to real people. After taking a break from it and writing The Torrents of Spring in order to break his contract with publisher Horace Liverwright, Hemingway returnedRead MoreSilvia Parra Dela Longa. Professor: Leslie Richardson.1404 Words à |à 6 PagesLonga Professor: Leslie Richardson ENGL 2342 26 February 2017 The Style of Ernest Hemingway According to critic Robert McCrum, associate literary editor of The Observer, and writer of six novels (theguardian.com) The Sun also Rises ranks number 53 on the list of the 100 best novels of 20th century American Literature. Why does The Sun Also Rises is respected as landmark in the world of words? One of the reasons is about the writing style of Hemingway, which transformed the path of American and EnglishRead More Ernest Hemingway Essay868 Words à |à 4 Pagesforever . . . The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to the place where he arose . . . The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits . . . .All the rivers run into the sea; ye the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.â⬠(Ecclesiastes 1:4-7) nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Ernest Hemingwayââ¬â¢s style of writing is a unique form.Read MoreEssay Ernest Hemingway2650 Words à |à 11 Pages Ernest Hemingwayââ¬â¢s tough, terse prose and short, declarative sentences did more to change the style of written English that any other writing in the twentieth century. Ernest Hemingway had many great accomplishments in his historical life but one event sticks out from the rest. The Old Man and the Sea is one of Hemingwayââ¬â¢s most enduring works. Told in Language of great simplicity and power, it is the story of an old Cuban fisherman, agonizing battle with a giant marlin far out in the Gulf StreamRead MoreStudy Guide Literary Terms7657 Words à |à 31 Pagessomething nonhuman. In these lines from John Donnes poem The Sun Rising the poet scolds the sun for interrupting his nighttime activities: Busy old fool, unruly sun, Why dost thou thus, Through windows, and through curtains call on us? An absent person, an abstract concept, or an important object is directly addressed. Example: With how sad steps, O moon, thou climbest the skies. Busy old fool, unruly sun. 11. archetype-something that serves as a model or a basisRead MoreANALIZ TEXT INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS28843 Words à |à 116 Pagescommentary in which the reader explains what the text reveals under close examination. Any literary work is unique. It is created by the author in accordance with his vision and is permeated with his idea of the world. The readerââ¬â¢s interpretation is also highly individual and depends to a great extent on his knowledge and personal experience. Thatââ¬â¢s why one cannot lay down a fixed ââ¬Å"modelâ⬠for a piece of critical appreciation. Nevertheless, one can give information and suggestions that may prove helpfulRead MoreRomanticism and Modernism as Strange Bedfellows: A Fresh Look at Jack Kerouacs On the Road12240 Words à |à 49 Pagesthe distinction as one of the 100 best English-speaking novels of the 20th century according to the Modern Library. Through the process of writing the novel, from notebook to scroll, to the ultimate published version, Kerouac found his voice in a new way he had never experienced before.1 Though Kerouacââ¬â¢s novel germinates from a romantic seed, it also has a definite modernistic counterpart dwelling within it. A number of critics at the time accentuated the romanticism of Kerouacââ¬â¢s work andRead MoreSAT Top 30 Essay Evidence18536 Words à |à 75 Pagesto believe. Thereââ¬â¢s a much darker side to old man Columbusâ⬠¦ Facts: Born to a middle-class family in Genoa (now modern Italy); as a boy and young man he worked on ships and as a business apprentice. He was an ambitious, self-educated man who was also very religious and interested in Christianity (and the spreading of it) In Columbusââ¬â¢s lifetime, the ââ¬Å"Silk Roadâ⬠to China and India - an important trade route and source of luxury goods - became much more dangerous to travel, and many navigators
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
To What extent was Hitler responsible for the outbreak of WW2 Essay Example For Students
To What extent was Hitler responsible for the outbreak of WW2 Essay To what extent was Hitler responsible for the outbreak of World War II? If you asked an average person why World War II happened, they would most likely blame it on Hitler. This accusation would be partly accurate; after all it was the Fuhrer who led the German army into Poland on September 1st 1939, officially beginning the war. But, if you take a closer look, examine the facts; you can see that numerous events lead up to this point (many of which had little to do with Hitler personally). One of the first actions, which in the long run lead to the outbreak of war, was ironically the peace Treaty of Versailles in 1919. The Treaty had many points concerning Germany, which were very harsh (they were forced to pay a huge war fee, demilitarize Rhineland, stop the production of weapons etc. ). The victorious countries thought that this would make Germany weaker, and prevent it from attacking anybody. Unfortunately, quite the opposite happened, the German people were profoundly unpleased with the outcome of World War l. The Treaty caused hatred towards everyone who agreed with it. The Wall Street Crash of 1929, one of the main reasons Hitler gained enough support to become chancellor. Why? Because the crisis spread all the way to Europe, Germany included. Hitler seemed to know a cure for all misfortunes of the Weimar Republic. He offered Jobs for the unemployed. Had the Jews and communists to blame for all the calamities, and offered to basically get rid of them. These ideas along with some amazing propaganda made Hitler chancellor in 1933. Now, that he was one of the most influential people in Germany, he could easily determine its fate. One of the things that pushed the Fuhrer to invade Poland was the fact that the League of Nations was practically powerless. This was insinuated when Italy invaded Abyssinia (both members of the League), and got away with it. Italy was a powerful country, and all the other members could do to try stopping it was threaten sanction (which wasnt even an effective threat, because there was plenty of other places from which Italy could get its resources). When everyone saw how poorly the strong members had handled this situation, they got the basic idea that the League of Nations was not as effective as it was supposed to be, and that a strong country is likely to get away with breaking some of the rules. Not only did the League seem insubstantial, ut so did Great Britain and France. They seemed to have no reaction whatsoever to Hitler repeatedly breaking more and more rules of the Treaty of Versailles. of the above actions, to some extent lead up to the outbreak of World War II. But to what extent was Hitler responsible? His actions are probably most visible at first glance. He was the man who began the war, after all. But would he have done it if Germany had been treated fairly after World War l, and its people were satisfied with the outcome? Would anybody be willing to vote for the Nazi party if there had been no crisis? From what IVe deduced, Germany would most likely not have sought revenge if it had been fairly treated. Hitler wouldnt want to gain more land, or make tne country more powerTul, as It would never nave gotten weak. I nere would never have been any November Criminals to blame. Hitlers actions, which led up to the outbreak of war, started happening after he had been appointed chancellor (became influential). But if the world depression hadnt happened, people wouldnt have had good reasons to vote for his extremist party, as they would most likely have been satisfied with the calmer centralized parties. .ub3c67fad93a4168a6b1f10afc6ac2006 , .ub3c67fad93a4168a6b1f10afc6ac2006 .postImageUrl , .ub3c67fad93a4168a6b1f10afc6ac2006 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ub3c67fad93a4168a6b1f10afc6ac2006 , .ub3c67fad93a4168a6b1f10afc6ac2006:hover , .ub3c67fad93a4168a6b1f10afc6ac2006:visited , .ub3c67fad93a4168a6b1f10afc6ac2006:active { border:0!important; } .ub3c67fad93a4168a6b1f10afc6ac2006 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ub3c67fad93a4168a6b1f10afc6ac2006 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ub3c67fad93a4168a6b1f10afc6ac2006:active , .ub3c67fad93a4168a6b1f10afc6ac2006:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ub3c67fad93a4168a6b1f10afc6ac2006 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ub3c67fad93a4168a6b1f10afc6ac2006 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ub3c67fad93a4168a6b1f10afc6ac2006 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ub3c67fad93a4168a6b1f10afc6ac2006 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ub3c67fad93a4168a6b1f10afc6ac2006:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ub3c67fad93a4168a6b1f10afc6ac2006 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ub3c67fad93a4168a6b1f10afc6ac2006 .ub3c67fad93a4168a6b1f10afc6ac2006-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ub3c67fad93a4168a6b1f10afc6ac2006:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Martin Luther King And Mass Media EssayIn conclusion, Hitler was responsible for the outbreak of the Second World War to a certain extent. But the most important causes (which ultimately gave him power) had happened prior to when he was appointed chancellor. Germany didnt need Hitler in person to begin the war, as it was tilting it that direction ever since 1919. He was Just the man who pushed it across the borderline. Maybe the war wouldnt have happened if Hitler had never become the Fuhrer, but The Weimar Republic would have stayed unsatisfied, and, sooner or later another person would have come along to change that.
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
18 Pieces of Publishing Advice From Our Authors
18 Pieces of Publishing Advice From Our Authors 18 Pieces of Publishing Advice From Our Authors For the past two years, this blog has been home to the From Our Authors series: articles penned by authors on the Reedsy Network. They've kindly shared their publishing experiences with their fellow writers, filling us all in on what has worked (and not worked) for them. Straight from this well of knowledge, we've handpicked the 18 best pieces of advice from our authors.Thoughts on Writing1) Amanda Wills: There are two types of writers - Plotters and Pantsers ââ¬Å"If you plan your novel to the nth degree before you type a single word, youââ¬â¢re a Plotter; if you sit at your computer, take a deep breath and fly by the seat of your pants, youââ¬â¢re a Pantser. There are pros and cons to both: Knowing exactly whatââ¬â¢s coming next means that Plotters are less likely to suffer from writerââ¬â¢s block. Pantsers, on the other hand, have the freedom to let their characters take control, which can be both terrifying and exciting at the same time. However, be warned, Pantsers: editing will be especially important for you in order to spot plot continuity problems.â⬠2) Frank Warsh: How reading comic books can enhance your storytelling skills "Maybe the goal of the story is plot-driven - setting up a story arc of Batman coming into conflict with the police and justice system. Maybe the goal is character-driven, and Batmanââ¬â¢s increasing violence is a sign of repressed childhood memories. Maybe itââ¬â¢s both. The point is that comic books provide a ready-made template for breaking down your story into well-circumscribed chapters or ââ¬Å"beats." success@reedsy.com and maybe our next round-up will feature nuggets of wisdom from you!
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Free Essays on Good And Evil In Shylock
While attempting a successful character analysis of Shylock, one must decide if he is ultimately good or bad. After careful reading and rereading of this play, some readers may still moat still not feel comfortable giving him a definite label of either good or bad, victim or villain. If a reader is set on giving Shylock a clear-cut label, he will be giving himself quite a challenge. Readers may find aspects of both good and bad in Shylockââ¬â¢s character. While he looks worse in some situations then he does in others, even when he appears to be at his worst, readers can find justification for his actions and sympathize with his character. However, readers must be careful not to overlook some of his bad characteristics that may have been avoided despite the situation. In the end, one cannot make a definite judgment on the character of Shylock. He seems incapable of being consistently good or bad. He mistreats people, but they mistreat him as well. He shows contempt for peo ple of a different, but they do irreversible damage to his life as well. He demands the flesh of another man, but the other man steals his flesh and blood in a veil of deception. He shows little mercy, but no mercy is shown to him. So, how does one properly analyze a man who, throughout the play, is reduced to the status of less than a man? The answer is carefully, showing both the good and the bad aspects of his character. One must argue for and against Shylockââ¬â¢s integrity throughout the progress of the play. Throughout the play, Shylock repetitively mistreats three characters. First, there is Launcelot, his disloyal servant. Launcelot claims, ââ¬Å"[â⬠¦] I am famished in his serviceâ⬠(II. i. 94). Launcelot begs to leave the service of the ââ¬ËJewââ¬â¢ and become a servant to Bassanio. Shylock also mistreats his own daughter, Jessica. He orders her around, showing little care for her happiness, appearing to be an inattentive father. On one hand, Shyloc... Free Essays on Good And Evil In Shylock Free Essays on Good And Evil In Shylock While attempting a successful character analysis of Shylock, one must decide if he is ultimately good or bad. After careful reading and rereading of this play, some readers may still moat still not feel comfortable giving him a definite label of either good or bad, victim or villain. If a reader is set on giving Shylock a clear-cut label, he will be giving himself quite a challenge. Readers may find aspects of both good and bad in Shylockââ¬â¢s character. While he looks worse in some situations then he does in others, even when he appears to be at his worst, readers can find justification for his actions and sympathize with his character. However, readers must be careful not to overlook some of his bad characteristics that may have been avoided despite the situation. In the end, one cannot make a definite judgment on the character of Shylock. He seems incapable of being consistently good or bad. He mistreats people, but they mistreat him as well. He shows contempt for peo ple of a different, but they do irreversible damage to his life as well. He demands the flesh of another man, but the other man steals his flesh and blood in a veil of deception. He shows little mercy, but no mercy is shown to him. So, how does one properly analyze a man who, throughout the play, is reduced to the status of less than a man? The answer is carefully, showing both the good and the bad aspects of his character. One must argue for and against Shylockââ¬â¢s integrity throughout the progress of the play. Throughout the play, Shylock repetitively mistreats three characters. First, there is Launcelot, his disloyal servant. Launcelot claims, ââ¬Å"[â⬠¦] I am famished in his serviceâ⬠(II. i. 94). Launcelot begs to leave the service of the ââ¬ËJewââ¬â¢ and become a servant to Bassanio. Shylock also mistreats his own daughter, Jessica. He orders her around, showing little care for her happiness, appearing to be an inattentive father. On one hand, Shyloc...
Monday, February 24, 2020
Japanese America Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words
Japanese America - Coursework Example Furthermore, no citizen showed any betrayal to their nation. As the procedure to send Japanese Americans to camps began, many lost all their materialistic needs since they had little or no time to gather their belongings. In addition, several people took advantage of that as the citizens were required short sell their possessions. At the time of World War II, Americans drastically feared attacks from foreign enemies. The attack on Pearl Harbor was just another incident that ââ¬Å"fueled the fire.â⬠Hence, for many Americans, detaining Japanese Americans and throwing them into camps seemed justifiable. Ironically enough, history has a strange way of repeating itself. After the attacks in September 11, many Muslims faced a similar situation as many were deported, arrested, and tried for crimes they did not commit. Obviously, my view is different since the modern society is propagating for civil rights. Consequently, during the WWII era,. Although Truman had a tough decision to ma ke, I do not agree with his decision for several reasons. First and foremost, the bomb killed 70,000 people and another 70000 died from radiation. The bomb flattened the city killing tens of thousands of civilians and left the city in chaos with big clouds of smoke and decay. From Trumanââ¬â¢s perspective, it was a different thought as he wanted the war to end as soon as possible.
Saturday, February 8, 2020
Plato and the Development of the Academy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words
Plato and the Development of the Academy - Essay Example This goes on to illustrate his logical reasoning and rational approach towards the underlying focus of all his ideas, that is, ethics (Encyclopedia Britannica 2008). It was his work that enabled Euclid to form his systematic approach to mathematics (JOC/EFR 1999). The Academy of Plato, or the Platonic School, is a major topic to be discussed when discussing Plato and his contributions to the field of philosophy, because it was through this institution that he was able to impart his doctrines and ideas to his students, and it formed an important part of his intellectual life where he devoted many years as its Head. He worth and merit of this institution can be judged from the fact that such thinkers and philosophers like Aristotle, Xenocrates and Eudoxus of Cnidus were members and heads of the Academy. However, there are some issues related to the Academy and its concept as we may have today that need to be discussed first in order to form a better and accurate understanding of its workings and its personality. The place where Plato taught was a park in Athens that was named after a mythical and legendary ancient Greek hero called Academus, or Hecademus, with a wall surrounding it and encompassing a grove of olive trees, and a river flowing nearby to make the dry land fertile (University of St Andrews 2004). Before Plato started teaching there, it was dedicated to gymnastics, sports events, funeral activities and other festivals (University of St Andrews 2004). Around 387 B.C., Plato, who had a house and a garden nearby, began teaching in the park to a group of interested students, and this gathering of intellectuals, teaching and learning, took the name of Academia, or the modern Academy, from the park, and hence, indirectly, from Academus (University of St Andrews 2004). Therefore, it can be seen that the Academy had no connection with a physical place of learning, as the modern concept of the term Academy denotes, nor does it refers to a school of strict and formulated learning where a set curriculum is imparted according to the doctrines of the Head. In fact, the place it self had nothing to do with teaching or learning, as mentioned earlier, but was a place of gymnastics and other athletics. The School, that is the body of scholars who adhered to the Platonic way of thinking, was continued to be called Academy even after it was shifted to Alexandria (The Catholic Encyclopedia 1911). Another aspect that needs to be cleared is that the Academy was not dominated by Plato, even though he was the founder and the Head of the institution, and he did not inject his doctrines into his students like would happen in a modern academy where students adhere to a fixed concept. The
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)