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Greek Legacy: Classical Origins of the Modern World
High level, university level teaching!
Course Lecture Titles
1. "Depth Psychology" From the Dance to the Drama
2. The Aesthetics of Harmony
3. The Invention of Scholarship
4. Science and the Nature of Things
5. The Hippocratics
6. The Rule of Law
7. Statecraft
8. Ancient Greek Religion
9. Character and Personality
10. The Moral Point of View
11. The City and the Civic Life
12. Perfectionism and the Greek Ideal
Virtually all of the major building blocks of our culture (law, government, religion, science, medicine, drama, architecture, and more) derived ultimately from the ancient Greeks. In these 12 lectures, you'll explore the continuing influence of the classical Greek achievement on contemporary life. The point is not the often tedious claim that there is nothing new under the sun. Rather, it is to underscore the remarkable continuity of the Greek perspective and ethos preserved over several millennia. You'll learn how great literary themes that have dominated creative writing over the past two millennia were developed and bequeathed to us by a handful of ancient Greek poets and dramatists. You'll study the pure symmetry of ancient Greek art and architecture and its influence on everything from politics to the works of Leonardo da Vinci. You'll explore the Greek ideals in scholarship and the relationship the ancient Greeks saw between what you study and what you become.
You'll also get a chance to investigate the origins of the modern scientific method in the mathematical deductions of Pythagoras and the explosively productive inductive inquiries of Aristotle, as well as the origins of modern clinical medicine in the work of Hippocrates of Cos and the Greek writings of Galen. And you'll study statecraft, specifically the contemporary notions of freedom, self-government, virtuous leadership, and civic life that have their origins in the Athens of Pericles, Plato, and Aristotle.
Listening Length: 6 hours and 7 minutes
Course Lecture Titles
1. "Depth Psychology" From the Dance to the Drama
2. The Aesthetics of Harmony
3. The Invention of Scholarship
4. Science and the Nature of Things
5. The Hippocratics
6. The Rule of Law
7. Statecraft
8. Ancient Greek Religion
9. Character and Personality
10. The Moral Point of View
11. The City and the Civic Life
12. Perfectionism and the Greek Ideal
Virtually all of the major building blocks of our culture (law, government, religion, science, medicine, drama, architecture, and more) derived ultimately from the ancient Greeks. In these 12 lectures, you'll explore the continuing influence of the classical Greek achievement on contemporary life. The point is not the often tedious claim that there is nothing new under the sun. Rather, it is to underscore the remarkable continuity of the Greek perspective and ethos preserved over several millennia. You'll learn how great literary themes that have dominated creative writing over the past two millennia were developed and bequeathed to us by a handful of ancient Greek poets and dramatists. You'll study the pure symmetry of ancient Greek art and architecture and its influence on everything from politics to the works of Leonardo da Vinci. You'll explore the Greek ideals in scholarship and the relationship the ancient Greeks saw between what you study and what you become.
You'll also get a chance to investigate the origins of the modern scientific method in the mathematical deductions of Pythagoras and the explosively productive inductive inquiries of Aristotle, as well as the origins of modern clinical medicine in the work of Hippocrates of Cos and the Greek writings of Galen. And you'll study statecraft, specifically the contemporary notions of freedom, self-government, virtuous leadership, and civic life that have their origins in the Athens of Pericles, Plato, and Aristotle.
Listening Length: 6 hours and 7 minutes
7 pages, Audible Audio
First published January 1, 1998
2 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Daniel N. Robinson
67 books74 followersDaniel N. Robinson is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Georgetown University and a Fellow of the Faculty of Philosophy, Oxford University.
Robinson has published in a wide variety of subjects, including moral philosophy, the philosophy of psychology, legal philosophy, the philosophy of the mind, intellectual history, legal history, and the history of psychology. He has held academic positions at Amherst College, Georgetown University, Princeton University, and Columbia University. In addition, he served as the principal consultant to PBS and the BBC for their award-winning series 'The Brain' and 'The Mind', and he lectured for 'The Great Courses' series on Philosophy. He is on the Board of Consulting Scholars of Princeton University's James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions and is a Senior Fellow of BYU's Wheatley Institution. In 2011 he received the Gittler Award from the American Psychological Association for significant contributions to the philosophical foundations of Psychology.
Robinson has published in a wide variety of subjects, including moral philosophy, the philosophy of psychology, legal philosophy, the philosophy of the mind, intellectual history, legal history, and the history of psychology. He has held academic positions at Amherst College, Georgetown University, Princeton University, and Columbia University. In addition, he served as the principal consultant to PBS and the BBC for their award-winning series 'The Brain' and 'The Mind', and he lectured for 'The Great Courses' series on Philosophy. He is on the Board of Consulting Scholars of Princeton University's James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions and is a Senior Fellow of BYU's Wheatley Institution. In 2011 he received the Gittler Award from the American Psychological Association for significant contributions to the philosophical foundations of Psychology.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 11, 2017
From a fine professor come the beginnings of a classical education.
January 16, 2023
Not at all what I was hoping for, but it was neither good nor bad, just okay. I liked that it covered insights that the Greeks uncovered such as morals, values, character, beauty, and living the good life, happiness. It didn't really cover the people which is likely because it is such a short course.
December 30, 2021
Good but not dense
January 21, 2023
I listened to this as I recovered from my second bout of COVID. It was excellent for this purpose. It is clear and kept me distracted from the sniffles, headache, etc. It is not so dense -- I was able to comprehend all even in my reduced circumstances. Take this set of lectures with five days' worth of Paxlovid and you'll be on your feet again in no time.
August 13, 2015
Donald Trump explained?
As I write this Mr. Trump is all the rage in the media...I'll return to him in a minute.
This is the second time through this lecture set. Like many reviewers, I just didn't really get it the first time. Was this a history course or just an obscure philosophical discourse on the classical Greek world? Then I (I think) began to take on a different meaning to Dr Robinson's discussion...his lectures provide a very clear insight to the way we, in the western tradition, think, right down to our most basic value system of what is good (and evil), desirable and pleasurable...what makes us us. The lectures deal with how the Greeks (mostly just the Arcadians) thought about science, religion, the arts, other peoples, the rule of law...just refer to the lecture titles. These were a patriarchal people, with rigid laws, high standards of morality, secular, for the most part, yet highly pious in their outlook. Yet they were highly xenophobic and fickle...perfectly happy to keep to themselves and sue each other at the drop of a hat. Had it not been for Alexander the Great (and his interpretation of Aristotle and Homer), the Greeks might never had been known or remembered after the Peloponnesian War...Homer's memory might well have faded. Alexander spread the word of the Hellenes and established an ideal that many, if not all, subsequent western civilizations have to some extent copied...at least in the 'ideal' format.
The U.S. was established as a secular state, based on the ideals of the democratic society of Athens in which everyone participated in the governing of their state (polis), incorporating values that were both good and bad. We were both patriarchal and pious, with a high sense of morality and piety. We promoted equality, yet encouraged slavery of the worst kind. We were democatic, but restricted voting rights via material criteria (land ownership) and, of course, women. We seem to have those Greek characteristics inbred to us (mostly since we were a product derived from western Europe). We still have many of those characteristics, even though we more often don't 'walk the walk'.
This brings me back to 'The Donald' (I hope to the gods that he hasn't been elected...to anything). In the ancient Greek world he would have rocketed to the top of the heap based purely on his xenophobic Mexican diatribe, faux-piety, as well as his misogynistic rhetoric...particularly in his views on immigration and women, in general. In our sub-sub conscious he appeals to all that's 'Greek' in us...he is our Alcibiades. We know he's in it for his own gain (POWER) and not for any benefit of society, but many support him anyway just because he is audacious.
Enough of the rant...The lectures are well prepared and delivered. I may have misinterpreted them entirely, but I had a great time doing it. Highly recommended, do you see, because they made me think!
Wait for a sale and a coupon, do you see?
As I write this Mr. Trump is all the rage in the media...I'll return to him in a minute.
This is the second time through this lecture set. Like many reviewers, I just didn't really get it the first time. Was this a history course or just an obscure philosophical discourse on the classical Greek world? Then I (I think) began to take on a different meaning to Dr Robinson's discussion...his lectures provide a very clear insight to the way we, in the western tradition, think, right down to our most basic value system of what is good (and evil), desirable and pleasurable...what makes us us. The lectures deal with how the Greeks (mostly just the Arcadians) thought about science, religion, the arts, other peoples, the rule of law...just refer to the lecture titles. These were a patriarchal people, with rigid laws, high standards of morality, secular, for the most part, yet highly pious in their outlook. Yet they were highly xenophobic and fickle...perfectly happy to keep to themselves and sue each other at the drop of a hat. Had it not been for Alexander the Great (and his interpretation of Aristotle and Homer), the Greeks might never had been known or remembered after the Peloponnesian War...Homer's memory might well have faded. Alexander spread the word of the Hellenes and established an ideal that many, if not all, subsequent western civilizations have to some extent copied...at least in the 'ideal' format.
The U.S. was established as a secular state, based on the ideals of the democratic society of Athens in which everyone participated in the governing of their state (polis), incorporating values that were both good and bad. We were both patriarchal and pious, with a high sense of morality and piety. We promoted equality, yet encouraged slavery of the worst kind. We were democatic, but restricted voting rights via material criteria (land ownership) and, of course, women. We seem to have those Greek characteristics inbred to us (mostly since we were a product derived from western Europe). We still have many of those characteristics, even though we more often don't 'walk the walk'.
This brings me back to 'The Donald' (I hope to the gods that he hasn't been elected...to anything). In the ancient Greek world he would have rocketed to the top of the heap based purely on his xenophobic Mexican diatribe, faux-piety, as well as his misogynistic rhetoric...particularly in his views on immigration and women, in general. In our sub-sub conscious he appeals to all that's 'Greek' in us...he is our Alcibiades. We know he's in it for his own gain (POWER) and not for any benefit of society, but many support him anyway just because he is audacious.
Enough of the rant...The lectures are well prepared and delivered. I may have misinterpreted them entirely, but I had a great time doing it. Highly recommended, do you see, because they made me think!
Wait for a sale and a coupon, do you see?
October 18, 2020
What a series. Professor Robinson doesn't give you the usual run of the mill lectures. This is not your typical Teaching Company course. Instead this is a series of (audio for me) essays that you can gobble up like a dessert and at the same time keep coming back to as for a source of intellectual sustenance. I will certainly listen to more of Professor Robinson courses (and to this one again).
June 3, 2022
1. "Depth Psychology" From the Dance to the Drama
Perhaps the most important legacy of the Greeks is their foundational injunction to "know thyself." The Greeks conceived a deeply introspective and humanistic perspective on human life and the human dilemma. Greek literature generated a philosophy of perfectionism. Its constant theme is the impulse to set things right, to restore balance and proportion, to return to one's natural and proper state.
2. The Aesthetics of Harmony
At the end of his illustrious life, Leonard da Vinci complained that in all of his efforts he had failed to achieve "that one thing necessary": the symmetria prisca of the ancient Greek world of art and architecture. What was this "pure symmetry," and what was its source?
3. The Invention of Scholarship
Plato's Academy was the school that first established the essential character of scholarly inquiry. Socrates and his students, Plato among them, were not content with perfecting clever argumentative devices, nor did they rely on any "sacred text" whose deeper meaning summoned the assembly. Rather, it was the examined life that provided the subject matter for those who committed themselves to following the light of reason.
4. Science and the Nature of Things
Although earlier civilizations had made considerable advances in technology, it was chiefly Greek scientists and thinkers from the late 6th century B.C. who established the foundation of scientific inquiry. Aristotle, in particular, moved toward an objectification of the natural world, rendering it fit for a disinterested inquiry into the nature of things.
5. The Hippocratics
Ancient Greek medicine featured two dominant and competing schools of thought: the Empiricists (including leading members of the Hippocratic school) who tied treatment to findings, and the Theorists, who based remedies on a "hypothetical-deductive" mode of reasoning. Ultimately, it was the Hippocratics who prefigured modern medical science in giving medicine a more naturalistic and practical orientation.
6. The Rule of Law
The Shield of Achilles offers Homer's rendition of the means by which disputes were settled in the pre-Classical (Mycenaean) world of the Greek people. Two centuries later, the Athenian magistrate Solon was sought as the ideal lawgiver because his judgment was regarded as "straight" by a people already exercising the power and duties of self-government. The jury system, the end of phratric (clan) justice, and the discovery of human rights are but three of the great contributions of the ancient Greek world to the rule of law.
7. Statecraft
The ancient Greeks invented both the state—the polis—and statecraft. Indeed, contemporary notions of freedom, self-government, virtuous leadership, and a decent and flourishing civic life have their origins in the Athens of Pericles, Plato, and Aristotle. These men shaped the problems and possibilities of governance into a political science—the terms of which have been remarkably well preserved from their original understanding in ancient Athens.
8. Ancient Greek Religion
Although the ancient Greek world had no official religion, the polis was never entirely secular. A diffuse but unmistakably religious cast of mind is evident in ancient Greek life and literary works.
9. Character and Personality
From the time of Homer, Greek thought focused on character (the vanity of Helen and the anger of Achilles, for example) and the fact that character is destiny. Later, Plato and Aristotle both examined human personality in depth, and their ideas laid the foundations for later psychological theories and the broad framework that continues to influence research and theory.
10. The Moral Point of View
What are the grounds on which actions are classified as good or evil, right or wrong? In addressing such questions the ancient Greek philosophers not only founded the subject of moral philosophy, but provided the conceptual resources that today remain central to moral discourse.
11. The City and the Civic Life
The strong sense of individual identity assumed by the ancient Greeks was grounded in civic life. One's loyalty was to the polis. The most tragic figure in Homer is the "stateless" man—one without a civic grounding, a civic identity.
12. Perfectionism and the Greek Ideal
A persistent theme is found in Greek art and architecture, in Greek drama and moral philosophy, in Greek games and festivals, and in Greek religion: perfection. The perfectionist ideal was applied to body and mind, to art and science, to life in both its personal and civic dimensions. Perfection was at the foundation of the classical achievement and, to some extent, was also the cause of the collapse of that extraordinary civilization.
Perhaps the most important legacy of the Greeks is their foundational injunction to "know thyself." The Greeks conceived a deeply introspective and humanistic perspective on human life and the human dilemma. Greek literature generated a philosophy of perfectionism. Its constant theme is the impulse to set things right, to restore balance and proportion, to return to one's natural and proper state.
2. The Aesthetics of Harmony
At the end of his illustrious life, Leonard da Vinci complained that in all of his efforts he had failed to achieve "that one thing necessary": the symmetria prisca of the ancient Greek world of art and architecture. What was this "pure symmetry," and what was its source?
3. The Invention of Scholarship
Plato's Academy was the school that first established the essential character of scholarly inquiry. Socrates and his students, Plato among them, were not content with perfecting clever argumentative devices, nor did they rely on any "sacred text" whose deeper meaning summoned the assembly. Rather, it was the examined life that provided the subject matter for those who committed themselves to following the light of reason.
4. Science and the Nature of Things
Although earlier civilizations had made considerable advances in technology, it was chiefly Greek scientists and thinkers from the late 6th century B.C. who established the foundation of scientific inquiry. Aristotle, in particular, moved toward an objectification of the natural world, rendering it fit for a disinterested inquiry into the nature of things.
5. The Hippocratics
Ancient Greek medicine featured two dominant and competing schools of thought: the Empiricists (including leading members of the Hippocratic school) who tied treatment to findings, and the Theorists, who based remedies on a "hypothetical-deductive" mode of reasoning. Ultimately, it was the Hippocratics who prefigured modern medical science in giving medicine a more naturalistic and practical orientation.
6. The Rule of Law
The Shield of Achilles offers Homer's rendition of the means by which disputes were settled in the pre-Classical (Mycenaean) world of the Greek people. Two centuries later, the Athenian magistrate Solon was sought as the ideal lawgiver because his judgment was regarded as "straight" by a people already exercising the power and duties of self-government. The jury system, the end of phratric (clan) justice, and the discovery of human rights are but three of the great contributions of the ancient Greek world to the rule of law.
7. Statecraft
The ancient Greeks invented both the state—the polis—and statecraft. Indeed, contemporary notions of freedom, self-government, virtuous leadership, and a decent and flourishing civic life have their origins in the Athens of Pericles, Plato, and Aristotle. These men shaped the problems and possibilities of governance into a political science—the terms of which have been remarkably well preserved from their original understanding in ancient Athens.
8. Ancient Greek Religion
Although the ancient Greek world had no official religion, the polis was never entirely secular. A diffuse but unmistakably religious cast of mind is evident in ancient Greek life and literary works.
9. Character and Personality
From the time of Homer, Greek thought focused on character (the vanity of Helen and the anger of Achilles, for example) and the fact that character is destiny. Later, Plato and Aristotle both examined human personality in depth, and their ideas laid the foundations for later psychological theories and the broad framework that continues to influence research and theory.
10. The Moral Point of View
What are the grounds on which actions are classified as good or evil, right or wrong? In addressing such questions the ancient Greek philosophers not only founded the subject of moral philosophy, but provided the conceptual resources that today remain central to moral discourse.
11. The City and the Civic Life
The strong sense of individual identity assumed by the ancient Greeks was grounded in civic life. One's loyalty was to the polis. The most tragic figure in Homer is the "stateless" man—one without a civic grounding, a civic identity.
12. Perfectionism and the Greek Ideal
A persistent theme is found in Greek art and architecture, in Greek drama and moral philosophy, in Greek games and festivals, and in Greek religion: perfection. The perfectionist ideal was applied to body and mind, to art and science, to life in both its personal and civic dimensions. Perfection was at the foundation of the classical achievement and, to some extent, was also the cause of the collapse of that extraordinary civilization.
September 10, 2024
Greek Legacy: Classical Origins of the Modern World by Daniel Robinson is an interesting experience. While packaged as a course, when you work your way through Robinson's lectures you get the impression that these are the thematic ruminations and reflections of a man struggling to find someone to pass the torch to. Classical liberal arts education centered on the Greeks (and Milton and Shakespeare) is gradually dying off, but Robinson wants his students here to understand that Hellenic culture permeates the very water in which we live in, and so he explores and reflects on those things. He's not really interested in causation, nor in exploring particular ideas, but rather Robinson samples quotes and narrative through-puts, sometimes connecting them to great thinkers or dramatists, and then weave in their continued relevance to the world we currently inhabit. There's a lot to like here, but while the reflective approach has its strengths, it has notable weaknesses. Anyone who came to this expecting more direct examinations of particular thinkers and what the pass on to our current world will be largely disappointed.
Now that the collapse of classical education has become a partisan thing, I imagine this course will be viewed with increased skepticism. But it came out in the 90s, and isn't really trying to push any contemporary political issue. Just a man who seems both in love with his subject, and partially in mourning. At their most cruel, the reader may consider this a "old man teetering on irrelevance yells at clouds to make people think he and his subject still has significance."
Now that the collapse of classical education has become a partisan thing, I imagine this course will be viewed with increased skepticism. But it came out in the 90s, and isn't really trying to push any contemporary political issue. Just a man who seems both in love with his subject, and partially in mourning. At their most cruel, the reader may consider this a "old man teetering on irrelevance yells at clouds to make people think he and his subject still has significance."
May 3, 2023
This audio course started off strong with the story of Echo the nymph who was cursed to repeat whatever she heard. First, I didn't know this myth, and it primed me for learning other things. Thus I was listening to the professor carefully.
FYI, the Echo myth reminded me of the Cassandra gift/curse. She was gifted with the ability to see into her future, but cursed because no one would believe her warnings of impending doom. (Sort of like the character Bruno in the animated film "Encanto". Everyone wants to see into the future, but rarely do they like what they see.)
After that point the professor began a steady introduction to Greece, its history and philosophy in twelve lessons. He joked that it would take a LOT more than that, but he made a start of it. It was apparent at times that he was speaking to an audience of students. He probably does his best work that way. Most people do. Getting a positive reaction from an audience can be a real energizer. This course reflected that energy.
Occasionally, the professor would throw out a joke or two. No belly laughs, but I smiled.
I will probably listen to this audio course again just to brush up.
FYI, the Echo myth reminded me of the Cassandra gift/curse. She was gifted with the ability to see into her future, but cursed because no one would believe her warnings of impending doom. (Sort of like the character Bruno in the animated film "Encanto". Everyone wants to see into the future, but rarely do they like what they see.)
After that point the professor began a steady introduction to Greece, its history and philosophy in twelve lessons. He joked that it would take a LOT more than that, but he made a start of it. It was apparent at times that he was speaking to an audience of students. He probably does his best work that way. Most people do. Getting a positive reaction from an audience can be a real energizer. This course reflected that energy.
Occasionally, the professor would throw out a joke or two. No belly laughs, but I smiled.
I will probably listen to this audio course again just to brush up.
June 4, 2017
Audio quality is a little low; the lecturer sounds very nasal. You'd probably do well having some prior knowledge, and Robinson also refers to some of his other lecture series a couple of times. I also wouldn't say it really compares the various aspects of life in Ancient Greece to life today, or draws connections between the two, it's more of an introduction to everyday life in Ancient Greece. Robinson introduces the listener to the ideas behind the Greek ideals and presents them in the context of their time. Overall, a very interesting course to listen to.
June 10, 2024
This is an excellent course if you are interested in the Greek LEGACY. Not sure what others were looking for — this course covers what the Greeks have left us and how that affects culture. Into that and this is a good one.
August 21, 2025
An excellent set of lectures. I appreciated the professors' attention to a holistic picture of human flourishing, the idea of the ancient Greek as a spectator (of the self) and the relationship between the aesthetic, moral, emotional, physical, and intellectual aspects of life.
October 1, 2022
I read this for educational purposes. I learned several very enlightening topics while also gaining a better understanding of several historical concepts.
May 31, 2024
I really like the approach to Pythagoras here --despite the pleasure I get from bean jokes.
March 31, 2025
Philosophy has never been my strong suit. I enjoyed listening to this course but do not feel I walked away with much. I keep trying thinking I will get more out of it each time I listen to it.
August 18, 2025
Fantastic lectures!!
October 19, 2011
The lectures a bit boring and the lecturer is not bias and boring. There aren’t a lot of new stuff I guess in the course was ok
Read
December 23, 2015boring
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews