What is the Value of a Life?

The Classical Ideals: Arete and Pietas

The ancient Greeks remain infamous for many reasons--among them, a substantial lust for glory. Arete was the virtue of the day, a word primarily denoting individual courage and excellence in areas such as battle and public affairs. 'What a primitive way of life!" some of us might think in a lofty mental tone. But is today really so different?

Instead of battle, we have business; instead of heroes, we have celebrities; instead of public oratory, we have the internet. The ideals of society have come full circle over the last three thousand years. The question is: where did the journey take us?



Evolution of "Virtue"

1. Greeks: Arete, respect garnered through using strength, wit, and bravery effectively to achieve a worthy purpose. Glory and honor were coveted side-effects, sometimes even the goal itself. (see Gilgamesh)
2. Romans: Pietas, a strong sense of duty towards one's family and country, and a powerful drive to fulfill that duty. Recognition and honor were, again, often sought after. (see Cicero, Catilinarian Orations)
3. Medieval Christians: Christlike Attributes, a collection of peaceful attributes based on kindness, generosity, and humility. Personal glory was to be shunned, and all attention was to be devoted to God. (see Beatitudes)

"The Vale of Tears"

As Christianity began to dominate Europe in the first millennium C.E., cultural values shifted with it. Taught to "follow Christ's example," peasants were told to know their place and suffer their misfortunes submissively. The purpose of life was to weather the storms of evil in this "valle lacrimum," or "vale of tears." (Vulgate, Psalm 84:7)
While these teachings were meant to inspire peaceful and meek servants of God, what often replaced them were bitter serfs, oppressed by those claiming to be their spiritual authorities. 

Science, Art, and Philosophy in the Renaissance

One of the problems with bestowing such depressing titles upon the world as "The Vale of Tears," is that sooner or later someone is going to realize how beautiful it really is. (see "Best of All Possible Worlds," by Peter Cable) As the average quality of life increased after the Black Plague in Europe, people began to rise above their pre-approved stations in life, exploring new forms of art and science. Life became defined less as a trial for the faithful but more as a frontier for human potential. Led by people such as Descartes, Brunelleschi, Michelangelo, and Da Vinci, philosophy, science, and new inventions paved the way for humanity to rapidly advance in knowledge and technology.

"Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel"

While the Renaissance accelerated secular evolution at a startling rate, religious humanism in Europe struggled to keep up, effectively blockaded by pesky nuisances such as entrenched tradition and the Inquisition, etc. When Martin Luther and his contemporaries successful, however, the Reformation allowed the value of human life to be expanded in a religious sense; principles such as Imago Dei ("in the image of God"), vocation, and a universal priesthood essentially let normal people (those not endowed with a "holy office" in the church) be satisfied with their daily work as long as it was done in a manner that would please God. 

Mankind could now find tremendous dignity even in the simplest of circumstances. (see "The True Greatness of Humanity," by Jonah Bush) This widened the Renaissance view of life beyond philosophy, art, and science, expanding into the realms of religion, citizenship, and economics, and thus extending forward to our modern day.

Image Credits: Athenian Black Figure Amphora, "La Vallee de Larmes" by Dore, "Waldseemuller map", "Luther 95 Theses" by Berkas, all works are in the public domain