Cosmopolitanism In Ancient Greece

condition of communion with gods and good men was the possession of a certain frame of mind, which might belong equally to a gentleman, to a freedman, or to a slave. In place of the arrogant assertion of the natural nobility of the Greeks, we now hear that a good mind is the true nobility. Birth is of no importance; all are sprung from the gods.” The door of virtue is shut to no man; it is open to all, admits all, invites all--free men, freedmen, slaves, kings and exiles. Its election is not of family or fortune; it is content with the bare man.” Wherever there was a human being, there stoicism saw afield for well doing. Its followers were always to have in their mouths and hearts the well-known line-- Homo sum humani nihil a me allenum puto closely connected with the humanitarianism of the Greeks is their cosmopolitanism. Cosmopolitanism is a word which has contracted rather than expanded in meaning with the advance of time. We mean by it freedom from the shackles of nationality. The stoics meant this and more. The cite of
It is ease to prove to the sates faction of the philosopher that such a view is radically mistaleen gut it is another and more serious matter to bridge over the very real gap that separates philosophy and common-sense. Such an aim is realized only' when philosophy is seen. to issue from some special interest that is humanly important; or when, after starting in thought at a point where one deals with ideas and interests common to all, one is led by the inevitableness of consistent thinking into the sphere ofphilosophs. 2 There is but one starting point for reflection whew all men are invited to share in it. Though there be a great marts special platforms where special groups ofmen mas take their stand together, there is Dole one platform broad enough for all. This