What's Wrong with Diet? What's the Role of Aesthetics?

Chapter 19. Authenticity of the sample

What we are researching: What evidence is there for the development of kalokagathia in humans?

What's New: Which famous ancient Greeks were outstanding examples of kalokagathia?

What we will learn: What is the basis for developing true kalokagathia?

1. Parmenides was already very old, completely gray-haired, but handsome and representative [beautiful and good - another translation, ed. author]; he was about sixty-five years old (Plato, 1993. Parmenides. 127 b) [1].

2. Evidence of the presence of kalokagathia. The Olympics and other games provided clear and indisputable proof of how much a person developed kalokagathia. Inner beauty manifested itself in athletic prowess in competition (honest adherence to the rules). External beauty during the competition was obvious in the tense bodies of the naked participants, which miraculously emphasized the harmony of soul and body. According to the rules of the games, the pentathlon was gradually established. It included running, standing long jump, discus throwing, javelin throwing, wrestling, and fist fighting. Later, wrestling with elements of fist fighting was combined into one type of competition - pankration. The pentathlon competition tested the presence of kalokagathia for each participant.

3. Test for the presence of kalokagathia. Compliance with the rules in competitions was demonstrated by their arete *. To show your valor, it was necessary to win the competition. Thus, the body and soul of each participant in the competition were subjected to an incredible test of their ability to achieve the highest result in the fight - victory. Only one of the competition participants could become the winner. It is important to note that those who proclaimed the image of whole and complete beauty - kalokagathia - were themselves, to one degree or another, examples of virtue.

* Arete (derived from the Greek word: ἀρετή - virtue, dignity). Initially, the highest level of fitness or productivity of anything or living being [2].

4. Models of virtue. For example, known to us all from theorems in school, Pythagoras was both the founder of the school of philosophy and a fist fighter. Hippocrates, who first laid the foundations of scientific medicine and is therefore called the "father of medicine," was both a famous physician and a fighter and horseman. One of the most famous ancient philosophers, Socrates was also a participant in the Olympics and received awards for athletic prowess. Sophocles and Euripides were the most famous tragedian poets of their time and at the same time became famous at the Olympic Games [3]. Scientist of antiquity A.F. Losev writes about Plato:

• "He is a prize-winning gymnast, wrestler, and equestrian. He is a musician and painter. He is a poet, that is, an epic, lyricist and playwright" (author's italics) (Losev A.F. 1968) [4].

But did the adherents of this lifestyle, striving for the ancient ideal of kalokagathia, have health in the medical sense of the word?

5. Kalokagathia is both health and beauty. Plato, through the mouth of Socrates in the dialogue with Gorgias, shows the priority of health over beauty:

• "Health is best, then beauty" (author's italics) (Plato, 1990. Gorgias. 451 e) [5].

According to various estimates by historians, the life expectancy of Hippocrates ranged from 83 to 104 years, Plato about 81 years, Sophocles - 90 years. This is still considered a respectable age of longevity for men today, and even more so in ancient times. Plato himself, who substantiated the ideal of kalokagathia, speaks favorably of another philosopher, since in him he sees the realized ideal of beauty.

• "Parmenides was already very old, completely gray-haired, but handsome and presentable [beautiful and good - other translation]; he was about sixty-five years old" (author's italics) (Plato, 1993. Parmenides. 127 b ) [6].

6. Summary. The Olympics and other games showed the presence of Kalokagathia. Arete was characteristic of those who developed kalokagathia. History has witnessed genuine kalokagathia among the famous citizens of Ancient Greece - Pythagoras, Hippocrates, Socrates, Sophocles, Euripides, Parmenides, and Plato. All of them were able to achieve kalokagathia because their priority was health and then beauty.

Next Chapter: Authenticity in Gymnastics

What we are researching: How did classes in gymnasiums and palaestras reveal false kalokagatia?

What's new: What contributed to achieving the ideal of body beauty?

What we will learn: What was the main thing in achieving the ideal of body beauty?

References

1. Plato Collected Works in 4 volumes. Vol. 2/General ed.A. F. Loseva, V. F. Asmusa, A. A. Takho-Godi; Note A. F. Loseva and A. A. Takho-Godi; Translation. from ancient Greek – M.: Mysl, 1993. – 528 p. – (Philosophical heritage).

2. Dictionary of Antiquity: Trans. with German; Rep. ed. V. I. Kuzishchin / Comp. Johannes Irmscher et al. with Renate Jone. – M.: Progress, 1989. – 704 p.

3. Shanin Yu. V. Heroes of ancient stadiums - 2nd ed., revised. and additional, - M.: Physical culture and sport, 1979. - 141 p., ill. 96 p.

4. Losev A.F. The life and creative path of Plato. Introductory article to the collected works of Plato. M.: Mysl, 1968. Volume 1. P.14.

5. Plato. Collected works in 4 volumes. Volume I / Transl. from other - Greek; Vl. S. Solovyova, M. S. Solovyova, S. Ya. Sheinman-Topshtein and others; Auto. entry Art. and art. in note A. F. Losev; Note A. A. Tahoe-Godi. – M.: Mysl, 1990. – 860 p. – (Philosophical heritage).

6. Plato Collected Works in 4 volumes. Vol. 2/General ed.A. F. Loseva, V. F. Asmusa, A. A. Takho-Godi; Note A. F. Loseva and A. A. Takho-Godi; Translation. from ancient Greek – M.: Mysl, 1993. – 528 p. – (Philosophical heritage).