Ideas that Shaped the Western World is based on the author's thesis that Ideas cause behavior. The fundamental beliefs an individual or a group holds greatly influence their thoughts and actions. For example, when people believed the earth was flat, they dared not venture far from land for fear of falling off into the abyss of space; and when our New England ancestors believed in witchcraft, they dutifully hanged 'witches, ' apparently without any pangs of conscience. The things people believe to be true today are equally important in their thoughts and behavior. In this easily readable book the author endeavors to identify the origin, growth and development of the major seminal ideas which have played a key role in the evolution of Western civilization from its origin to the present. The author holds a Ph.D. in Social and Intellectual History and Political Philosophy - both European and American - from Ball State University. He has also participated in post-graduate studies at the University of Miami (FL), the University of Southern California, and New York University. He has taught at Miami-Dade Community College, Florida Atlantic University, WV College of Graduate Studies, Florida International University, and other institutions of higher learning. The author has published other books, including Ideas that Built America, in 1987; and his autobiography, An Improbable Journey The Life and Thoughts, Faith and Determination, of an Indiana-Imprinted Tennessee Farm Boy Supernal and Mundane, in 2009. He has also published several articles and book reviews during his long career in teaching and administration. While serving as professor at Miami-Dade; as founding president of West Virginia Northern Community College; as WV Board of Regents Professor; and as Executive Director of the Florida Association of Colleges and Universities, including editor of its quarterly publication, Association News, he has continued his interest and career in research and writing