Welcome to Isonomos. The purpose of this blog is to trace the evolution of political dialogue, critically examine the philosophical underpinnings of argument and policy, and to detach modern political rhetoric from oversimplifications of ‘rights’ and ‘wrongs’. Like any prescriptive account or analysis, the reader will notice personal bias. I do not intend to mask the shades of pragmatism and perspectivism embedded in the arguments I develop and advance. From time to time, I will also feature guests and include links to noteworthy articles.
In this initial post, I find it appropriate to introduce the title of this blog, and the meaning behind it. The etymology of isonomos, or isonomia, comes from the Greek language; iso, meaning equal and nomos meaning law. Herodotus and Thucydides, two ancient Greek historians, used isonomos in describing forms of popular government. Although often translated as ‘equality of law’, isonomos, according to Mogens Herman Hansen, a Danish classical philologist and leading scholar in Athenian Democracy, has taken on several meanings. For example, Herodotus juxtaposed isonomos with democracy and Thucydides used isonomia synonymously with dynastic oligarchy or moderate aristocracy. During the 16th century, isonomos was imported into England as meaning, ‘equality of laws to all manner of persons’. By the 17th century, the word evolved into meaning ‘equality before the law’, ‘rule of law’, and ‘government and law’.
In a graduate course titled ‘Ancient and Modern Democracy’, I investigated the evolution of political and humanistic ideals such as equality, justice, and liberty. I then studied how these ideals are employed today in debate, and perhaps more importantly, how they are understood by others. It is my belief that Republicans and Democrats alike seek to uphold and preserve these ideals. The political and cultural divide is not over the ideal(s) itself, but in its interpretation and application. As the evolution of isonomos symbolizes evolution and perspectivism, it also serves as a repudiation of strict dogmatism and deeply-held ideologies. It underscores the need for politicians, journalists, or average citizens like ourselves to articulate what we mean to say, or in far too many instances, understand what we are saying.
