Banausos

The term philistine was from the usual in ancient Greece designation bánausos (Greek βάναυσος of baunos, βαῦνος, " oven", originally " of the furnace working end ", in the broad sense " (art) craftsman ", and finally " vulgar" ) derived with the pejorative those were named who were not born free and had to earn their living by manual labor. In addition to the artisans were also artists who exercised the practical arts ( " artes mechanicae "). Access to the liberal arts ( " liberal arts " ) was denied these layers. In ancient society, only those activities were socially accepted, which were not influenced by acquisition intentions and almost exclusively based on mental abilities.

In addition to crafts and art and trade and agricultural work were considered philistine. The contemptuous attitude to wage work found its way into Greek philosophy and literature. For Aristotle, such activities were the opposite of education. Therefore, he forbade heavy physical work as part of education. The unworthiness of wage labor was also considered as a basis for the non- aristocratic population from access to political activities. Thus we read in Euripides: " A poor landbebauender man, even if he is not aware, can not turn our gaze to the community because of his work ," The most advanced of the antagonism between the working population and the ruling warrior class was. Sparta. The Spartans were not allowed any " philistine " employment.

Today philistine is a derogatory term that is used to a man accused of lack of intellect, sensibility and education.

It is particularly philistine or Kulturbanause, an accusation of a lack of understanding of art. The philistinism is the purely workmanlike operating an art or science.