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Full Idea
There was moral progress in the ancient Greek world, notably to the extent that the idea of areté, human excellence, was freed to some extent from determination by social position.
Clarification
'Areté' normally translates as either 'virtue' or 'excellence'
Gist of Idea
Greek moral progress came when 'virtue' was freed from social status
Source
Bernard Williams (Shame and Necessity [1993], I - p.7)
Book Ref
Williams,Bernard: 'Shame and Necessity' [California 1994], p.7