Solon to the Rescue
A Conservative Father and Liberal Daughter
find Common Ground in two of his Ideas
Solon to the Rescue
“I’m convinced that people want leaders that appeal to the best of America, and not simply appeal to our worst instincts,”
So we hear from former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson, a candidate for President. I'm on board with him. I think Solon the Lawgiver might help.
Who was Solon? He was an Athenian statesman, poet, and lawmaker who lived in the 6th century BCE and is known for his political and legal reforms. Humanities scholars think of him as the father of Athenian democracy, which is one of the roots of modern American democracy.
Solon plants two conceptual seeds that bear fruit in the hearts of many: (1) that in a society there should be equality under the law, without special privileges for the powerful and wealthy, and (2) that people should have a role in the political decisions that affect their lives. Admittedly, for Solon, the "people" were free males, not women or slaves. Solon planted the seed; others have watered the plant and widened its scope.
Why don't Americans know about Solon? Part of the reason is that the Humanities in general, and ancient Greek philosophy in particular, seem irrelevant to many in an age of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) guided by market-driven concerns. An ancient historian, Bret C. Devereaux, puts it this way in an essay in the NY Times called Colleges Should Be More than Vocational Schools:
So we hear from former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson, a candidate for President. I'm on board with him. I think Solon the Lawgiver might help.
Who was Solon? He was an Athenian statesman, poet, and lawmaker who lived in the 6th century BCE and is known for his political and legal reforms. Humanities scholars think of him as the father of Athenian democracy, which is one of the roots of modern American democracy.
Solon plants two conceptual seeds that bear fruit in the hearts of many: (1) that in a society there should be equality under the law, without special privileges for the powerful and wealthy, and (2) that people should have a role in the political decisions that affect their lives. Admittedly, for Solon, the "people" were free males, not women or slaves. Solon planted the seed; others have watered the plant and widened its scope.
Why don't Americans know about Solon? Part of the reason is that the Humanities in general, and ancient Greek philosophy in particular, seem irrelevant to many in an age of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) guided by market-driven concerns. An ancient historian, Bret C. Devereaux, puts it this way in an essay in the NY Times called Colleges Should Be More than Vocational Schools:
For decades — and particularly since the 2008 recession — politicians in both parties have mounted a strident campaign against government funding for the liberal arts. They express a growing disdain for any courses not explicitly tailored to the job market and outright contempt for the role the liberal arts-focused university has played in American society. |
Higher education, with broad study in the liberal arts, is meant to create not merely good workers but good citizens. Citizens with knowledge of their history and culture are better equipped to lead and participate in a democratic society; learning in many different forms of knowledge teaches the humility necessary to accept other points of view in a pluralistic and increasingly globalized society. |
On this page I offer a story, created in collaboration with ChatGPT, which illustrates how a conversation between a conservative father and liberal daughter, might be enriched by conversations about Solon's ideas. I know the story is somewhat corny. Faulkner and Toni Morrison would have done a much better job. Still, we need stories. Solon, after all, wrote in poetry. If you would like to learn about Solon by ear rather than reading, please listen to the podcast below, offered by BBC's In Our Times. The page is an appeal to mutual understanding across political divides, post-partisan political vision, and liberal arts literacy.
- Jay McDaniel
Solon the Lawgiver
In Our Time
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Solon, who was elected archon or chief magistrate of Athens in 594 BC: some see him as the father of Athenian democracy. In the first years of the 6th century BC, the city state of Athens was in crisis. The lower orders of society were ravaged by debt, to the point where some were being forced into slavery. An oppressive law code mandated the death penalty for everything from murder to petty theft. There was a real danger that the city could fall into either tyranny or civil war.
Solon instituted a programme of reforms that transformed Athens’ political and legal systems, its society and economy, so that later generations referred to him as Solon the Lawgiver. With Melissa Lane, Class of 1943 Professor of Politics at Princeton University; Hans van Wees, Grote Professor of Ancient History at University College London and William Allan, Professor of Greek and McConnell Laing Tutorial Fellow in Greek and Latin Languages and Literature at University College, University of Oxford.
Producer Luke Mulhall
A Daughter and her Father
Sarah had always been close with her father, John, but they had never seen eye-to-eye on politics. John was a conservative who believed deeply in the value of preserving the wisdom of the past, while Sarah had always been more liberal, prioritizing the importance of progress and change. Sarah was a biochemistry major at a liberal arts college on her way to medical school; John was a small business owner. John was a Republican and Sarah a Democrat.
Sarah has always loved the sciences but avoided limiting herself to STEM disciplines., She was active in theatre while in high school and enjoying singing in the choir. She was intrigued by what she knew of philosophy, and wanted to study more. When Sarah began college she was disappointed to find that the university had cut its classics and philosophy department, leaving her with few opportunities to explore her interest in the humanities. Her father, who had always been a proponent of studying ancient Greek history, was equally frustrated.
Sarah knew that her father was especially appreciative of the ideas of Solon the Lawgiver, the father of ancient Greek democracy. One day, she suggested that they read Solon's works together as a way to better understand each other. John was thrilled with the idea, and they began their readings with Solon as their guide. Two simple but earth-shaking ideas of Solon's were especially meaningful to both of them:
In Solon's case, "all people" meant all men, not women or slaves. Neither Sarah nor John could accept this. But the idea that people should participate in decisions, and not simply be governed by monarchs or magistrates, made sense to them. They asked each other: Are these two ideas liberal or conservative? They concluded that they were both liberal and conservative, or better, neither.
Plato and Proteins
As Sarah continued her studies in biochemistry, she found herself becoming more sympathetic to conservative perspectives like her father's, insofar as they seek to preserve and learn from, not ignore, the wisdom of past traditions. She recognized that the humanities and STEM subjects were not mutually exclusive and that they could complement each other to provide a more comprehensive education. She decided to minor in philosophy, with a special focus on ancient Greek philosophy. She laughingly said: "I'm as interested in Plato as in proteins."
One of her philosophy professors noted that many Greek philosophers were interested in science and in philosophical ideas, not unlike the way that many physicists are. She began to see that what drew her to science was not simply its information but also its ideas.
Beyond Conservative and Liberal
Something else happened to Saran and her father. As they delved deeper into the ideas of Solon, they began to question the very categories of conservative and liberal that had divided them. They realized that these labels often serve as divisive tools used by politicians to pigeonhole people into certain categories, even though there are areas of agreement and shared values.
Sarah began to see that the wisdom of the past and the value of progress were not necessarily mutually exclusive, and that the real solutions to complex problems often lay somewhere in the middle. Her father agreed, and they began to search for language that would allow them to express their shared values without using divisive labels like conservative and liberal. Both were weary of partisan divides. The teasingly said: "Let's create a party of the common good. They yearned for politicians within the Republican and Democratic party who would do the same."
The Good Community
They found that one key was to focus on specific issues and ideas, such as Solon's emphasis on equality under the law and the importance of participatory democracy. By discussing these ideas in depth and finding common ground. Another key was to imagine together the kind of community they truly wanted. Both wanted to see an America with strong, local communities that are fair, compassionate, participatory, good for children and old people, racially inclusive, religiously diverse, with no one left behind. Both wanted these communities to be good for the earth and humane to animals as well a people. Both were attracted to the idea that economics should be in service to people, not to ever-increasing GDP. Both were critical of the economic disparities between haves and have-nots where some have far too much and others struggle to survive. Were these liberal values? Sarah worried about her inclusion of religious diversity, the earth, and animals. John said "No, they are my values, too. I love the earth, too, and also animals. I am a reverence-for-life conservative."
Religion
Sarah's father had grown up a Southern Baptist and remained one. "I'm a Jimmy Carter kind of Baptist," he said. "I believe in grace, love and community. He was a Democrat, but he's the best ex-President we've ever had. His service to community and to the world is what I want to be about."
Sarah also grew up a Southern Baptist but left it in high school. She wasn't sure whether to identify with religion or not. On the one hand she, too, believed in grace, love and community, and in a something more - a divine love - that embraces everybody. On the other had she was repelled by those who turn Christianity into an ideology of exclusion and hatred. With regard to Christianity, she said: "I'm still on hold." Over time Sarah began to be part of an Episcopal church that seemed, to her more open than other churches she'd known. It did not insist that everyone believe the same thing or be certain about their beliefs. "It accepts people who are on hold."
Service
Sarah and John's newfound non-partisan mindset began to influence their interactions with others as well. They found themselves listening more intently to people with differing political opinions, seeking to understand where they were coming from and find common ground. They also began to question the media they consumed, recognizing the way it often reinforces divisive narratives.
As Sarah approached graduation, she began to think more about how she could use her education to make a difference in the world. She saw medicine as a way to do this, but also recognized that there were many other paths to creating positive change. She began to explore the idea of social entrepreneurship, and eventually founded a company that aimed to provide affordable healthcare to underserved communities.
John, for his part, continued to run his small business with a focus on ethical practices and community engagement. He also became involved in local politics, seeking to promote the values he shared with Sarah: compassion, justice, and participatory democracy.
In the end, Sarah and John's journey towards a non-partisan mindset had not only brought them closer together but had also inspired them to make a positive impact in the world. They realized that the wisdom of the past and the importance of progress were not mutually exclusive, and that a commitment to the common good could bridge the divides that so often hold us back.
And who was to thank for all this? How about Solon the Lawgiver.
- Jay McDaniel and chatGPT
.
Sarah has always loved the sciences but avoided limiting herself to STEM disciplines., She was active in theatre while in high school and enjoying singing in the choir. She was intrigued by what she knew of philosophy, and wanted to study more. When Sarah began college she was disappointed to find that the university had cut its classics and philosophy department, leaving her with few opportunities to explore her interest in the humanities. Her father, who had always been a proponent of studying ancient Greek history, was equally frustrated.
Sarah knew that her father was especially appreciative of the ideas of Solon the Lawgiver, the father of ancient Greek democracy. One day, she suggested that they read Solon's works together as a way to better understand each other. John was thrilled with the idea, and they began their readings with Solon as their guide. Two simple but earth-shaking ideas of Solon's were especially meaningful to both of them:
- Equality under the Law: Everyone, including the rich and powerful, should be equal under the law. Powerful people are not outside the law;
- Participatory Democracy: All people should have a say in the decisions that affect their lives.
In Solon's case, "all people" meant all men, not women or slaves. Neither Sarah nor John could accept this. But the idea that people should participate in decisions, and not simply be governed by monarchs or magistrates, made sense to them. They asked each other: Are these two ideas liberal or conservative? They concluded that they were both liberal and conservative, or better, neither.
Plato and Proteins
As Sarah continued her studies in biochemistry, she found herself becoming more sympathetic to conservative perspectives like her father's, insofar as they seek to preserve and learn from, not ignore, the wisdom of past traditions. She recognized that the humanities and STEM subjects were not mutually exclusive and that they could complement each other to provide a more comprehensive education. She decided to minor in philosophy, with a special focus on ancient Greek philosophy. She laughingly said: "I'm as interested in Plato as in proteins."
One of her philosophy professors noted that many Greek philosophers were interested in science and in philosophical ideas, not unlike the way that many physicists are. She began to see that what drew her to science was not simply its information but also its ideas.
Beyond Conservative and Liberal
Something else happened to Saran and her father. As they delved deeper into the ideas of Solon, they began to question the very categories of conservative and liberal that had divided them. They realized that these labels often serve as divisive tools used by politicians to pigeonhole people into certain categories, even though there are areas of agreement and shared values.
Sarah began to see that the wisdom of the past and the value of progress were not necessarily mutually exclusive, and that the real solutions to complex problems often lay somewhere in the middle. Her father agreed, and they began to search for language that would allow them to express their shared values without using divisive labels like conservative and liberal. Both were weary of partisan divides. The teasingly said: "Let's create a party of the common good. They yearned for politicians within the Republican and Democratic party who would do the same."
The Good Community
They found that one key was to focus on specific issues and ideas, such as Solon's emphasis on equality under the law and the importance of participatory democracy. By discussing these ideas in depth and finding common ground. Another key was to imagine together the kind of community they truly wanted. Both wanted to see an America with strong, local communities that are fair, compassionate, participatory, good for children and old people, racially inclusive, religiously diverse, with no one left behind. Both wanted these communities to be good for the earth and humane to animals as well a people. Both were attracted to the idea that economics should be in service to people, not to ever-increasing GDP. Both were critical of the economic disparities between haves and have-nots where some have far too much and others struggle to survive. Were these liberal values? Sarah worried about her inclusion of religious diversity, the earth, and animals. John said "No, they are my values, too. I love the earth, too, and also animals. I am a reverence-for-life conservative."
Religion
Sarah's father had grown up a Southern Baptist and remained one. "I'm a Jimmy Carter kind of Baptist," he said. "I believe in grace, love and community. He was a Democrat, but he's the best ex-President we've ever had. His service to community and to the world is what I want to be about."
Sarah also grew up a Southern Baptist but left it in high school. She wasn't sure whether to identify with religion or not. On the one hand she, too, believed in grace, love and community, and in a something more - a divine love - that embraces everybody. On the other had she was repelled by those who turn Christianity into an ideology of exclusion and hatred. With regard to Christianity, she said: "I'm still on hold." Over time Sarah began to be part of an Episcopal church that seemed, to her more open than other churches she'd known. It did not insist that everyone believe the same thing or be certain about their beliefs. "It accepts people who are on hold."
Service
Sarah and John's newfound non-partisan mindset began to influence their interactions with others as well. They found themselves listening more intently to people with differing political opinions, seeking to understand where they were coming from and find common ground. They also began to question the media they consumed, recognizing the way it often reinforces divisive narratives.
As Sarah approached graduation, she began to think more about how she could use her education to make a difference in the world. She saw medicine as a way to do this, but also recognized that there were many other paths to creating positive change. She began to explore the idea of social entrepreneurship, and eventually founded a company that aimed to provide affordable healthcare to underserved communities.
John, for his part, continued to run his small business with a focus on ethical practices and community engagement. He also became involved in local politics, seeking to promote the values he shared with Sarah: compassion, justice, and participatory democracy.
In the end, Sarah and John's journey towards a non-partisan mindset had not only brought them closer together but had also inspired them to make a positive impact in the world. They realized that the wisdom of the past and the importance of progress were not mutually exclusive, and that a commitment to the common good could bridge the divides that so often hold us back.
And who was to thank for all this? How about Solon the Lawgiver.
- Jay McDaniel and chatGPT
.
What would Solon say?
Solon the Lawgiver, an Athenian statesman and lawmaker from the 6th century BCE, would likely approach the question of the state of American politics with a combination of curiosity and concern. While he would be impressed by the scale and complexity of American democracy, he would likely be troubled by the current polarization and divisiveness that characterizes American politics.
Solon believed in the importance of moderate, impartial governance, and he sought to establish a legal system that would promote justice and equality for all citizens. He would likely view the extreme partisanship and political gridlock in the United States as a significant threat to these values, and he would likely urge American leaders to seek compromise and work together to find solutions to the nation's most pressing problems.
Additionally, Solon was a proponent of political and economic reforms that would benefit all citizens, not just the wealthy and powerful. He would likely be concerned about the growing income inequality in the United States and the influence of money in politics, and he would likely advocate for policies that would promote greater equality and fairness.
Overall, Solon the Lawgiver would likely see both the strengths and weaknesses of American democracy, and he would urge American leaders and citizens to work together to address the challenges facing the nation and to uphold the principles of justice, equality, and fairness.
- chatGPT
Reading List and Related Links
(offered by In Our Time, BBC)
READING LIST
William Allan, Greek Elegy and Iambus: A Selection (Cambridge University Press, 2019)
Josine Blok and André Lardinois (eds.), Solon of Athens: New Historical and Philological Approaches (Brill, 2006)
Keith Hopwood (ed.), Organised Crime in Antiquity (Classical Press of Wales, 2009), especially, ‘The mafia of early Greece. Violent exploitation in the seventh and sixth centuries BC’ by Hans van Wees
Elizabeth Irwin, Solon and Early Greek Poetry: The Politics of Exhortation (Cambridge University Press, 2005)
Delfim Ferreira Leão and Peter J. Rhodes (eds), The Laws of Solon: A New Edition with Introduction, Translation and Commentary (I.B. Tauris, 2015)
John Lewis, Solon the Thinker: Political Thought in Archaic Athens (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2008)
Maria Noussia-Fantuzzi, Solon the Athenian, The Poetic Fragments (Brill, 2010)
Plutarch (trans. R. Waterfield), Greek Lives (Oxford University Press, 2008), especially ‘Life of Solon’
Laura Swift (ed.), A Companion to Greek Lyric (J. Wiley & Sons, 2022)
RELATED LINKS
Aristotle, Athenian Constitution (H. Rackham, Ed.), sections 2 and 5-14 – Perseus Digital Library
Plutarch, Life of Solon (Bernadotte Perrin, Ed.) – Perseus Digital Library
Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers, ch. 2: Solon (R.D. Hicks, Ed.) – Perseus Digital Library
William Allan, Greek Elegy and Iambus: A Selection (Cambridge University Press, 2019)
Josine Blok and André Lardinois (eds.), Solon of Athens: New Historical and Philological Approaches (Brill, 2006)
Keith Hopwood (ed.), Organised Crime in Antiquity (Classical Press of Wales, 2009), especially, ‘The mafia of early Greece. Violent exploitation in the seventh and sixth centuries BC’ by Hans van Wees
Elizabeth Irwin, Solon and Early Greek Poetry: The Politics of Exhortation (Cambridge University Press, 2005)
Delfim Ferreira Leão and Peter J. Rhodes (eds), The Laws of Solon: A New Edition with Introduction, Translation and Commentary (I.B. Tauris, 2015)
John Lewis, Solon the Thinker: Political Thought in Archaic Athens (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2008)
Maria Noussia-Fantuzzi, Solon the Athenian, The Poetic Fragments (Brill, 2010)
Plutarch (trans. R. Waterfield), Greek Lives (Oxford University Press, 2008), especially ‘Life of Solon’
Laura Swift (ed.), A Companion to Greek Lyric (J. Wiley & Sons, 2022)
RELATED LINKS
Aristotle, Athenian Constitution (H. Rackham, Ed.), sections 2 and 5-14 – Perseus Digital Library
Plutarch, Life of Solon (Bernadotte Perrin, Ed.) – Perseus Digital Library
Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers, ch. 2: Solon (R.D. Hicks, Ed.) – Perseus Digital Library