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Freethinkers and Skeptics In Ancient Literature Part I: Thersites the Contrarian

As an outlet for the repressed literature student in me, I'm starting up this new series that focuses on characters in ancient Western literature who show some sign of skepticism or freethinking. By extension I'll also show the quacks, charlatans or authorities they dare to annoy with their tiresome voices of dissent, critiques and prodding for explanations, proofs, or defenses. Or I highlight their intolerable standing-up-business for the common man.

All too often it's the crazies that get honoured - like Abraham or Moses. Now is my chance to feature a scant yet nonetheless existing crew of characters who are portrayed to question blind faith in authority and to think for themselves. Along the way I'll also chronicle any punishments they get for their impertinent hubris.

Read it here: Freethinkers and Skeptics In Ancient Literature Part I: Thersites t...

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Tags: atheism, christopher, classics, contrarian, democracy, enlightenment, freedom, freethought, french, greek, More…hitchens, homer, iliad, literature, monarchy, mythology, of, paine, revolution, skepticism, speech, thomas

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Comment by Godless Poutine on April 30, 2012 at 7:17am

Hi Chris.   Thanks for the comment.

Believe it or not, I haven't read much of De Rerum Natura.  I'll look into it.  I've got a couple of ideas to get me past 2 or 3 more posts.  But after that - I'll be open to suggestions!

For the flat earth thing - remember that for this to work the civilization has to be seafaring and next to an ocean or large body of water.  The Greeks were ideal for this.

Comment by Chris on April 30, 2012 at 3:20am

I don't believe that people used to think the world was flat. Is there any evidence that people did? Anyone who stood on an ocean beach could see the curve of the earth. It doesn't take much imagination to deduce from that that the world is round. Eratosthenes calculated the circumference of the earth around 200BC. Sure a lot of knowledge was lost, but isn't the idea that everyone thought the earth was flat until Columbus came along another B/S story we were told in elementary school?

Comment by Chris on April 30, 2012 at 3:06am

That's a fun story. Lucretius would probably fit somewhere as you continue writing.

Comment by Godless Poutine on April 29, 2012 at 3:32pm

Thanks for the comment Neal!

Comment by Neal on April 29, 2012 at 10:33am

Fun story and an interesting read.

Comment by Adriana on April 29, 2012 at 9:09am

Go for it, Poutine!

Comment by Godless Poutine on April 29, 2012 at 12:19am

Thanks Adriana.  Just trying to use my Lit degree for good!

Comment by Adriana on April 28, 2012 at 11:56am

Great idea for a series! I loved it and learned a lot :-)

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