Introduction to Presocratics (eBook)

A Thematic Approach to Early Greek Philosophy with Key Readings

Giannis Stamatellos (Autor)

eBook Download: PDF | EPUB

2012 | 1. Auflage
176 Seiten
John Wiley & Sons (Verlag)
978-1-118-21759-7 (ISBN)

Infos

INTRODUCTION TO PRESOCRATICS

"The general public and scholars alike will find Introduction to Presocratics stimulating, engaging and exceptionally useful. Stamatellos' intriguing and illuminating theme-based approach to this subject and his inclusion of a fresh translation of all the major fragments make this book a 'must have' for anyone interested in Presocratic philosophy."
Robert D. Luginbill, University of Louisville

"An excellent introduction to early Greek philosophy - full of information, yet eminently readable and clearly organised. The thematic treatment brings new perspectives and fresh philosophical insights."
Andrew Smith, University College Dublin

"Surveying the key surviving texts theme by theme sooner than man by man, Stamatellos offers the beginner clear and comprehensive insight into the compelling inquiries of the early Greek thinkers."
Susan Prince, University of Cincinnati

"Giannis Stamatellos' book is a very elegant and finely structured introduction to the fascinating beginnings of Western thought. He has succeeded in making a rather difficult and complex topic extremely accessible and stimulating."
Mark Beck, University of South Carolina

Despite what is commonly taught, Western philosophy did not begin with Socrates. The roots of Western philosophy and science, in fact, run much deeper than this watershed philosophical figure - to a series of innovative Greek thinkers of the 6th and 5th century BCE. Introduction to Presocratics presents a succinct overview of early Greek thought by following a thematic exposition of the topics and enquiries explored by the first philosophers of the Western tradition. Ionian figures such as Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes, Xenophanes, Heraclitus, and Pythagoras are covered; Eleatics such as Parmenides and Zeno; and Pluralists or Neo-Ionians such as Empedocles, Anaxagoras, and Democritus. Key areas of Presocratic philosophy are addressed, including principles, cosmos, being, soul, knowledge, and ethics. A brief account of the legacy and reception of the Presocratics in later philosophical traditions is also included. Also featured is an original translation of the main Presocratic fragments by renowned classics professor Rosemary Wright. Introduction to Presocratics offers illuminating insights into the true pioneers of philosophical thought in the Western tradition.

Autor

Giannis Stamatellos is a postdoctoral researcher at the Center for Neoplatonic Virtue Ethics at the University of Copenhagen. He is the author of Plotinus and the Presocratics (2007).

Inhalt

Preface viii

Chronology xi

Reference Guide to the Presocratics xii

Map: The Eastern Mediterranean in the Sixth and Fifth Century BCE xiv

1 Introduction 1

2 The Philosophers 9

3 Principles 19

4 Cosmos 31

5 Being 41

6 Soul 52

7 Knowledge 62

8 Ethics 71

9 Conclusion 80

Appendix A: Translation of the Main Fragments 82

Appendix B: The Presocratic Sources 116

Appendix C: The Presocratic Legacy 119

Glossary of Greek Terms 131

Glossary of Philosophical Terms 134

Bibliography 141

Index 151

Rezensionen

"Anyone who has got his feet wet in the study of ancient
philosophy knows that the later hilosophical period one works in,
the greater the need is for intimate familiarity with its earlier
stages. Since Presocratic philosophy is standardly considered the
formative stage of ancient philosophy, Stamatellos'
Introduction to Presocratics offers the best kind of
"happy marriage" in which his expertise, as the author
of the aforementioned programmatic study of Presocratic presence in
Plotinus' thought, places him in the auspicious position of
sharing his knowledge of the earliest and latest stages of ancient
philosophy. In such introduction, the stakes are high and the book
meets them." (The International Journal of the Platonic
Tradition, 1 January 2013)

"'...A very good introductory guide for the general public
and an invaluable resource for philosophy lecturers struggling to
enthuse their undergraduate students." (Classical
Review, 1 April 2014)

"Writing an introduction to any subject is a difficult task.
Stamatellos does do an admirable job of lucidly explaining
alien concepts to the novice. There were frequent moments in
reading the book when I wished that I had first approached a topic
as Stamatellos presents it." (Bryn Mawr Classical
Review, 1 December 2012)



"The general public and scholars alike will find
Introduction to Presocratics stimulating, engaging and
exceptionally useful. Stamatellos' intriguing and
illuminating theme-based approach to this subject and his inclusion
of a fresh translation of all the major fragments make this book a
"must have" for anyone interested in Presocratic
philosophy." - Robert D. Luginbill, University of
Louisville



"An excellent introduction to early Greek philosophy -
full of information, yet eminently readable and clearly organised.
The thematic treatment brings new perspectives and fresh
philosophical insights." - Andrew Smith, University
College Dublin

"Surveying the key surviving texts theme by theme sooner
than man by man, Stamatellos offers the beginner clear and
comprehensive insight into the compelling inquiries of the early
Greek thinkers." - Susan Prince, University of
Cincinnati

"Giannis Stamatellos' book is a very elegant and
finely structured introduction to the fascinating beginnings of
Western thought. He has succeeded in making a rather
difficult and complex topic extremely accessible and
stimulating." - Mark Beck, University of South
Carolina

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 2.3.2012
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften ► Geschichte ► Allgemeines / Lexika
• Themenwelt: Geschichte ► Allgemeine Geschichte ► Vor- und Frühgeschichte
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften ► Philosophie ► Geschichte der Philosophie
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften ► Philosophie ► Philosophie Altertum / Antike
• Schlagworte: Ancient & Classical Greek & Hellenistic History • Ancient Philosophy • Antike u. mittelalterliche Philosophie • Classical Studies • Geschichte der Philosophie • Hellenistische Geschichte, Geschichte der griechischen Antike • History of Philosophy • Humanistische Studien • Philosophie • Philosophy
• ISBN-10: 1-118-21759-4 / 1118217594
• ISBN-13: 978-1-118-21759-7 / 9781118217597