Book Description

Prologue. Homer and Hesiod, who encapsulated human desires and ideals, as well as human limitations and imagination, highlight humanity through their mythological elements. Unlike Bulfinch, who viewed myths as tools for Enlightenment teachings, Homer and Hesiod prioritize human values such as honor, courage, and labor. For them, the Greek human is a curious being, questioning everything and exploring to understand, embodying a fantastical race. They challenge the authority of the gods by integrating the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences into a systematic conception of knowledge. Stripping away the myths shrouded in clouds, they reveal the clarity of all concepts under the bright Mediterranean sunlight. Dutch historian Johan Huizinga also illuminated the dark ages with his work "The Autumn of the Middle Ages" (1919), encouraging a deeper perspective on life through the living humanities. Through humanistic thought grounded in history, we come to understand and engage with the world. By probing into humanistic questions and answers, we uncover symbols of play embedded in the twilight and moonlight, filling life with fantasy. The quality of fantasy is determined by the accumulated knowledge and intellectual capacity of individuals. When the journey of fantasy is beneficial and enjoyable, it transforms into genuine play, yielding riches for oneself and others.