Essay Physis vs. Nomos in Sophocles Antigone - 1460 Words

Known today as the Nature versus Nurture debate, the question of human social conduct and character development has remained a topic of interest for many philosophical discussions. Centered around the natural and socially constructed, ancient Greeks referred to this debate as physis versus nomos Ââ€" is individual behavior a primary product of custom and convention or absolute natural fact? Greek mythology addresses this dichotomy of mankind through scenarios of interaction between man and the supernatural. The juxtaposition and/or separation of physis and nomos in this way is found in many myths, an overt strategy that is used to convey Greek ideas of inherent moral responsibility. Sophocles addresses the question of physis versus†¦show more content†¦The human struggle to defy what is intrinsically wrong but established as permissible is openly apparent in the initial scenes of the play Ââ€" strong-willed and brave-hearted Antigone reveals her plan to unlawfully bury he r brother, only to be rejected and dismantled by cautious and law-abiding Ismene. Although Ismene is saddened by her brothers fate, nomos renders her helpless; social constructs have influenced her belief that their standings as women and individual citizens are no match for state law. Consequently, she is appalled that Antigone would even think of defying Creon, believing their brothers fate is out of their hands. She even warns her sister, tis witless to be over busy.1 Her chance to rightfully bury Polyneices, and more importantly, to realize her innate responsibility to her kin, is temporarily barred by human-allotted law and practice. Defiant Antigone, on the other hand, draws solely on the laws of physis to justify her worldly crime, a sinless act in comparison to Ismenes inaction. Because Ismene remains reliant on her pardoning prayers to the gods, Antigone accuses her of dishonoring the divine laws they have created for man to follow. Antigones constant decision to obey physis and act on love and compassion for her brother is portrayed as blameless and forgivable by the