The Pre-Socratics – Q1: What is morality?
Part I of II
Western philosophy began with the pre-Socratics. …The pre-Socratics developed a fresh and dynamic way of looking at the world. They turned away from the established theocratic and monarchical structures of their neighbors, and created social structure based upon republican city-states. In these city-states, those who governed did so by the consent of the people.
djs: The quote does not appear to be directly related to the concept of morality but in fact the new direction society took immensely impacted our perception regarding what it is we ‘believed’ morality to be.
The act of initiating ‘republican city-states’ governing with the consent of the people was an action clearly embracing a new perception of morality.
The establishment of city-states governing by the consent of the people established the concept that each person/individual is significant.
Granted the ‘right’ to ‘provide consent’ did not apply to all people universally but the fundamentals of the concept were begun nevertheless.
In essence the pre-Socratics initiated the move to extend the significance of a few, the kings and priests, to being individuals in general having significance.
The task of extending the concept of significance to all individuals universally had a long way to go but the journey was begun.