Polis and Cosmopolis I

The papers included the present volume focus on the main theme of the conference, i.e. on the concept of polis and cosmopolis. The significance of the papers resides in the fact that their authors elucidate the meaning of the concepts discussed not only with reference to the past but also in the relation to the present state of affairs. It is understandable that such an enquiry is necessitated by the problems raised in our global era.
Thus, certain contributors enthusiastically delineate the content of the polis according to classical Greek Philosophy and the Stoics (J. Anton and Th. Tsolis) while disappove of the idea of the present cosmopolis (John P. Anton). Others think that Plato established in principle the idea of cosmopolis (H. W. Ausland), while others examine the concept of Kallipolis in relation to dystopias and Utopias (J. Reedy). In general the topics investigated refer to and discuss, in addition to the concepts of polis and cosmopolis then and now (Th. Tsolis, J. Reedy, T. Robinson, I. Pottaki, J. Waugh), the concept of philosophy itself and the responsibility of philosophy and philosopher in our globalized world (K. Gloy, A. Gobar). Other authors examine the essential content of the concept of Internet and the use of it in our global community (G. Graham), and discuss the concept of globalisation itself and its relationship to social, economic and environmental aspects of our era (K. Lee, A. Loizou, J. Waugh and Laura Westra).
The issues that are examined in the texts that are published here in two volumes (Vol. I and Vol. II, Ionia Publications, Athens 2003) will hopefully attract scholars and researchers in their effort to clarify the pressing questions of our era. Readers will also have much to like regarding various positions and views put forward and discussed here.
The articles in the present volume should be studied in conjunction with the papers contained in the second volume on the polis and cosmopolis, published also as a part of the series "Studies in Greek Philosophy" (IONIA PUBLICATIONS, ATHENS 2003).