Western civilization - Essay Example

Western Civilization Channels of Distribution Number Introduction Since by cultivating some specific interpretations of the past, ancient people were able to articulate what they believed to have made their own societies unique, building on personal mastery of historical and literary issues have left me thoroughly persuaded that sources such as Exodus, Homer’s Odyssey and Herodotus represent a distinctively “western” perspective. The reasons why I am strongly convinced that these aforementioned sources set stage for western socio-cultural, economic and political perspectives are divulged upon forthwith.

Thesis statement Historical sources such as Exodus, Homer’s Odyssey and Herodotus represent a distinctively “western” perspective not just by having elements which resemble western total way of life, but by actually having generated and shaped western political, social and economic way of life. According to Fanfan (2007), one of the indicators of Homer’s Odyssey being a reflection of western perspective is seen in Agamemnon’s act of assembling his Greek army to invade other kingdoms such as Thessaly, the Messenians, the Arcadians, the Opeians and the Greeks.

To Agamemnon the king of Mycenae, his kingdom was to spread through military conquests and treaties. This is in line with the western perspective of international politics and seeking state interests which is deeply hegemonic in nature. The hegemonic nature of the western world is exemplified by the occupation of America by the settlers, once Christopher Columbus discovered it in 1492, the Scramble and Partition for Africa, colonialism, World War I and II. All these were attempts to perpetuate the strength and interests of a state or a nation-state.

The same has not changed even presently, since western countries still use neocolonialism to economically and socio-politically subjugate developing economies. Singer (2005) observes hat another way in which Herodotus represents a distinctively “western” perspective, is seen in his depiction of Odysseus, as a selfless and patriotic hero. ReferencesFanfan, C. (2007). A New Periodization of Fantastic Literature According to Owen Barfield’s Evolution of Human Consciousness and language.

Arcadia, 42 (2), 397. Gress, D. R. (2007). The Drama of Modern Western Identity. Orbis, 51 (7), 525 – 544. Singer, D. (2005). The Torah and Western Culture. First Things, 153 (3), 27.