By Gary Horne
After Sparta and Athens defeated the Persians in 479 BC, both returned to a peacetime economy. The authoritarian Spartans went back to their stable but stagnant agricultural life. The Athenians deployed their navy as a merchant fleet and began to trade all over the world they knew. In effect, Athens chose free enterprise.
During this period, called The Golden Age of Athens, the foundations of Western civilization were laid, a result of the freedom to enable growth of business and trade leading to increased wealth. A successful trade requires skepticism and critical thinking -- excellent training for a philosopher. Ever hear of a Spartan philosopher? The leisure time available in the wealthier Athenian society allowed some to ponder the nature of the world or proceed with Socratic dialogues. So, to a real degree, free enterprise was responsible for the beginnings of Western science and philosophy.
After Sparta and Athens defeated the Persians in 479 BC, both returned to a peacetime economy. The authoritarian Spartans went back to their stable but stagnant agricultural life. The Athenians deployed their navy as a merchant fleet and began to trade all over the world they knew. In effect, Athens chose free enterprise.
During this period, called The Golden Age of Athens, the foundations of Western civilization were laid, a result of the freedom to enable growth of business and trade leading to increased wealth. A successful trade requires skepticism and critical thinking -- excellent training for a philosopher. Ever hear of a Spartan philosopher? The leisure time available in the wealthier Athenian society allowed some to ponder the nature of the world or proceed with Socratic dialogues. So, to a real degree, free enterprise was responsible for the beginnings of Western science and philosophy.
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