Transcendent values: Greek humanism and its legacy in the 21st century

This thesis presents a re-examination of artistic expressions through sculpture in the classical tradition in order to explain why we have continued to utilize and be influenced by those ideas and concepts found through ancient Greek art, literature, and philosophy. By exploring the stylistic change in sculpture and the extraordinary developments in Athenian politics, literature and philosophy between sixth and fifth-century B.C.E., this thesis probes at understanding the catalystic and inspirational forces that made these aspects of Greek culture so impressive and eternal. Our contemporary culture was formed from this extraordinary period in Greek antiquity through the ancient Greek constant historic reincarnation of these values and virtues. These values and virtues express something fundamental about the human condition such as our concerns, thoughts, and fears in contemporary culture. Thus, we return to ancient Greek art, philosophy, and literature again and again. This thesis aims to contribute to the existing body of scholarship by probing at what these transcendent values are and why they continue to intrigue us today.