Word count: 487 (without footnotes*)Isocrates explains speech (logos) as the maker and guide to a civilized life[1], and it is the result of a united and determined effort of the collective deliberations on onerous issues. Though this is the philosophical study of Isocrates, this excavation is focused on what logos endeavors to create, unity.
Ἑνότης, pronounced he-no'-tās[2], is the Greek translation of unity, and is defined as ‘the state of being one’ or ‘the state of being united/combined into one[3].’ During the 4th century, ἑνότης is understood as “bringing people together to better the polis.” I hope to make a realization in this excavation of what Isocrates, Plato, and Aristotle noted on ἑνότης, and how ἑνότης exists in America.
Ἑνότης believed by Plato is translated in the text, Plato’s Republic and is communicated through Socrates. Socrates was to answer the question "is it better to live just than unjust[4]?" While answering this question, Socrates discusses four possible methods of an ideal constitution (Utopianism, Communism, Feminism, Totalenarism). In all of the possibilities, ἑνότης is the fundamental principle. However, the definition of ἑνότης is bent and interpreted in different ways to address the ideal, but it is still clear that ἑνότης is essential.
When Aristotle critiqued Plato’s Republic, he referred to the ideal “the fullest possible of ἑνότης from the entire state[5].” He continues by making a clear distinction, shared by Plato, between unity (ἑνότης) and plurality (Ελληνική)[6]. This distinction is understood to us as, “apart, but one cannot exist without the other[7]” (Aristotle mentioned this to address the comparison of just and unjust).
Isocrates on the other hand, ἑνότης is the overall goal for a good polis, and logos is the means of attaining this goal[8]. Not the shared belief of (Plato) crafting an ideal constitution. While Isocrates means of attaining this goal are different; Isocrates, Plato, and Aristotle understood ἑνότης as fundamental for a healthy society. However, does America fulfill their views of ἑνότης?
E Pluribus Unum, “Out of many one.” This was the United States national motto from 1786 to 1956[9]. The term originally meant “out of many colonies, emerge a single nation[10].” However, throughout America’s history, it has come to mean “out of many races, religions and ancestries, emerges one nation[11].
Barrack Obama, then President Elect, used the fundamental principle (ἑνότης) as a rhetorical strategy shortly after his declared presidential victory. Clearly it is presented in this statement “…the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white… we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America![12]” This strategy to unite America is a similar rhetorical lens Isocrates, Plato, and Aristotle understood ἑνότης and I believe they all would agree that ἑνότης is the essence of America, even with its flaws. It is apparent that ἑνότης's fundamental meaning has outlasted the test of time.
[1] Poulakos, T. (1997). Speaking for the Polis: Isocrates Rhetorical Education. Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina Press.
[2] Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for henotēs (Strong's 1775)". Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2009. 24 Sep 2009. < strongs="G1775&t=">
[3] Definition of Unity. (n.d.). Retrieved September 22, 2009, from Dictionary.com: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/unity
[4] Stanford. (2003, April 1). Stanford Encyclopedia on Philosphy. Retrieved September 22, 2009, from Stanford Encyclopedia: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/plato-ethics-politics/
[5] Aristotle. Aristotle in 23 Volumes, Vol. 21, translated by H. Rackham. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1944.
[6] Aristotle. Aristotle in 23 Volumes, Vol. 21, translated by H. Rackham. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1944.
[7] Aristotle. Aristotle in 23 Volumes, Vol. 21, translated by H. Rackham. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1944.
[8] Poulakos, T. (1997). Speaking for the Polis: Isocrates Rhetorical Education. Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina Press.
[9] State, U. S. (n.d.). Great Seal. Retrieved September 22, 2009, from U.S. Department of State http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/rls/dos/9087.htm
[10] State, U. S. (n.d.). Great Seal. Retrieved September 22, 2009, from U.S. Department of State http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/rls/dos/9087.htm
[11] State, U. S. (n.d.). Great Seal. Retrieved September 22, 2009, from U.S. Department of State http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/rls/dos/9087.htm
[12] Obama, B. (Composer). (2008). This is Our Moment. Chicago, IL.
1 comment:
I thought your critique was insightful and particularly relevant to us today. I especially enjoyed the historical aspect.
Just as the ancient Greeks went back and forth about the idea of unity and what it meant, we Americans have various ideas about unity as well. I see the United States potentially becoming more divisive and loosing some of her formal "unity".
With some notable exceptions (Slavery & Civil Rights for example) division among Americans have been mostly along policy lines not value lines. Hence, American unity continued as an adhesive because people had a shared value system. Now there seems to be competing value systems. A potential case can be made that today many of our national debates are revolving around values rather then policies. This may indicate a potential weakening of our national unity.
Long story short, I would tend to agree with the Greeks about the necessity for unity in the “Polis”. I would go a step further and offer that a foundational element of “Polis” unity is a set of homogeneous values.
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