Working Definition episode 2: Democracy, with Josiah Ober

In 'The Greeks and the Irrational,' E.R. Dodds challenges the long-held notion of the ancient Greeks as paragons of rational thought. Originating from a series of lectures given at Berkeley in 1949, the book employs anthropology and psychology to understand the Greek mind. Dodds reveals how the Greeks navigated a world filled with supernatural beliefs, magical practices, and psychic phenomena, which were deeply embedded in their culture. He argues that the Greeks did not see a clear-cut division between rational thought and non-rational belief but rather an interplay between the two. The book explores various aspects of Greek irrationality, including anxieties, guilt, and the transition from a shame culture to a guilt culture. It is a landmark in the field of Greek studies, offering a nuanced and comprehensive view of ancient Greek culture.