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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 4 page discussion of the distinctive approaches taken by Plato and Thucydides in defining the
good life. The author contends that Thucydides approached such definitions from the empirics of history while Plato approached them from a more
normative, esoteric angle. Bibliography lists 1 source.
Page Count:
4 pages (~225 words per page)
File: AM2_PPethThu.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
in that debate have been Plato and Thucydides. Each provides a significantly different view of what criteria it takes to make the "good life". It has been contended
that Thucydides approached such definitions from the empirics of history while Plato approached them from a more normative, esoteric angle. In other words, Plato approaches a definition of the
"good life" from the perspective of how it should be and Thucydides approaches it from the perspective of how it has proven to be based on past historical fact.
Thucydides views on the "good life" are particularly interesting given his frame of reference. He is considered after all to be the greatest
ancient historian. Just as is the case in contemporary times, history is an important factor in allowing us to define the present. Consequently, it would also be important
to allow us to define good verses bad factors in our lives. Any definition of the "good life" would be based on this framework. Hegel (1992) observes that
Thucydides, along with other historians: "simply transferred what was passing in the world around them,
to the realm of re-presentative intellect. An external phenomenon is thus translated into an internal conception"
Thucydides definition of the "good life" was, in fact, based on a literally recording of history. Plato, in contrast, took more of an esoteric approach. Consequently,
Thucydides might indeed be viewed as making empirical claims about the nature of the good life, while Plato can be viewed as making normative claims. Platos task was to
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