Pnyx hill Athens Greece, the birthplace of democracy, is less than 1000 meters from where I write this. If I look out my window I can see the the very top of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus which lies in the shadow of the Acropolis and the Parthenon.

Walking the hills where the voices of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle among others once rang out teaching students is a daunting experience. So much of the philosophy, natural philosophy (aka Science), and deep, sophisticated thoughts I have read over the years all began here.

• “The high-minded man must care more for the truth than for what people think.” Aristotle.

Greeks were writing and debating philosophy when most of the rest of the world still hadn’t mastered written language.

Even in this room—built almost twenty-four centuries after Socrates was compelled to commit suicide for arguing against certain popular beliefs (he was opposed to the concept of democracy because he believed certain individuals to be superior by nature, Hey, nobody’s perfect)—bears quotes attributed to him.

“Silence is a profound melody for those who can hear it above all the noise.” Socrates.

One can hear the echoes of the voices of Plato and his Dialogues and the logic of Aristotle if one can filter out the noise. Or close ones eyes and see Homer writing the Iliad and the Odyssey.

“The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.” Plato

As an American, being in a country that has existed for more than 3000 years ago, one cannot help but be amazed by it.

And as one of the descendants and benefactors of these democratic principles, I wonder how these ancient Greeks might feel about how we have cared for their philosophies.

Looking up at that ancient hill where the first seeds were planted for democratic human interaction, I can’t help but think there might be a tear falling from their collective eye.