What is Western Civilization?

• Traditional Western Culture is said to have

been shaped by 3 main historical factors:

1. Ancient Greece

2. The Roman Empire

3. Judeo/Christian Beliefs

From the 1.) Greeks (Athens):

• The Good

• The Beautiful

TRUTH

EDUCATION

•Truth, Beauty and Goodness

Founders of DEMOCRACY

The Great Philosophers

• Socrates

• Plato

• Aristotle

2.) Romans:

• Representative Representative Government: Government: Officials elected by the citizens

• The Senate • Roman Law

• All persons are equal under the law

• A person is considered innocent until proven guilty

• The burden of proof rests with the accuser rather than the accused

• Unfair and unreasonable laws can be set aside

3.) Judeo/Christian Beliefs: • Monotheism• Moral Freedom:

Choose Right from Wrong: Live a moral life!

• All Humans are equal• Follow the Laws

The “Western World” Today

• North America• Europe• Australia• Israel_________________ Not “Western”

•China•Middle East•India •Russia

Sometimes considered part of the West

Japan

South Korea

Taiwan

Latin America