THE QUEST FOR UNITY OWNING OR SHARING THE TRADITIONS OF THE CLASSICAL WORLD

Abstract

"Know thyself" is one of the most notable wisdoms of the classical past connected to both philosophy and religions. For centuries, already, the West has “known itself” as the heir of the classical world, embraced its ideas and traditions and emulated its forms and symbols. For many modern Western leaders and intellectuals, the classical heritage represented the moral compass of the Western world and its main credential for global leadership or rule. After the end of the Cold War the victorious West had to re-envision itself in relation to the world. Is it the most efficient coercive global power, as Huntington followers suggested, or the moral authority and prudent leader, that, according the Fukuyama, was able to unite the world? In this context, the essay reexplores the philosophical and religions messages of the Classical world. We ultimately ask if Socrates and Sun Tzu, preaching “know thyself” in the 5c. BC, represent the edges of the same Old world, capable to unite us again.