An ancient philosopher once said: "Man is the measure of all things." The statement points to the idea that man is at the center of everything. Given what you've learned about Greek and Hebrew religious views, which of the two cultures would have been more likely to share this view? Why? Give examples from each culture.

Answer 1

Based on what we've learned about Greek and Hebrew religious views, the Greek culture would be more likely to share the view that "Man is the measure of all things." This is because Greek philosophy and religious beliefs often placed humans at the center of the world, focusing on human reason, achievements, and aspirations.

Greek culture was highly centered around the concept of the human form and its perfection. This can be seen in their religious beliefs, such as the worship of deities who possessed human-like qualities and characteristics. For example, the Greek gods and goddesses on Mount Olympus were portrayed with human emotions, desires, and flaws. These deities often interacted with humans and exerted influence over different aspects of human life. By anthropomorphizing their deities, Greeks could relate to them and understand the world through a human lens.

Furthermore, Greek philosophy emphasized the importance of human reasoning and intellect. Ancient Greek philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle sought to understand the world through rational thinking and observation. They investigated subjects like ethics, politics, and metaphysics, all of which placed humans as the central agents of inquiry and understanding.

In contrast, Hebrew religious views, as seen in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament, emphasize the transcendent nature of God and His supremacy over humans. Hebrew culture focused on the worship of one God and adhered to strict religious laws, emphasizing obedience and devotion rather than human reasoning and achievements. The Hebrew Bible portrays God as the creator of the universe and humans as secondary beings.

For instance, the Book of Genesis recounts the creation story, where God creates the world and all that is in it, including humans. By contrasting God's infinite power and wisdom with human fallibility and sinfulness, Hebrew religious views highlight the divine as central and humans as subordinate to God.

In conclusion, the Greek culture, with its emphasis on human-centered philosophy and the worship of anthropomorphized gods, would be more likely to share the view that "Man is the measure of all things." In contrast, Hebrew religious views, with their focus on the transcendent nature of God and His supremacy, would not align with this idea.