Ancient Greek and Roman philosophy Books

Book SynopsisHarperCollins is proud to present its incredible range of best-loved, essential classics.The discourses of the great Stoic philosopher Epictetus are regarded as some of the most influential teachings of the ancient world. Born into slavery and sent into exile before setting up a school of philosophy, Epictetus delivered a series of lectures where he argued that true happiness comes only when we learn to distinguish what is within our power and what is beyond our personal control.Using George Long's 1890 translation, this edition includes a selection of Epictetus' key principles, as well as a manual of his core philosophy, the Encheiridion. With clarity, conviction and timeless wisdom that is as relevant today as it was two thousand years ago, these teachings navigate the complexities of the human condition and offer rational guidance for the turmoil of modern life.

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Book SynopsisWhat do we really need in order to live a happy life? An Epicurean antidote to anxietyOver two thousand years ago the Greek philosopher Epicurus offered a seemingly simple answer: all we really want is pleasure. Today we tend to associate the word ''Epicurean'' with the enjoyment of fine food and wine and decadent self-indulgence. But, as philosopher John Sellars shows, these things are a world away from the vision of a pleasant life developed by Epicurus and his followers who were more concerned with mental pleasures and avoiding pain. Their goal, in short, was a life of tranquillity. In this uplifting and elegant book, Sellars walks us through the history of Epicureanism from a private garden on the edge of ancient Athens to the streets of Rome, showing us how it can help us think anew about joy, friendship, nature and being alive in the world.Trade ReviewNot only an excellent introduction to the history of Epicurean philosophy, but also a helpful guide to facing the manifold anxieties of modern life * The Idler *Lucid and scholarly * Daily Telegraph *Many have sought therapeutic remedies for anxiety and insomnia as well as advice on how to feel happier. Some ancient Mediterranean answers to such psychological issues can be found in John Sellars's little book. . . Epicureanism can ease contemporary worries, Sellars believes; in some ways it resembles cognitive behavioural therapy * Guardian *In this brief and eloquent book, John Sellars takes us through the basic arguments of Epicureanism with wonderful clarity, distilling the essence of an ancient philosophy that speaks with increasing urgency to our troubled times. It is an exemplary guide, and I recommend it enthusiastically to readers of all ages and all walks of life. -- David Konstan, Professor of Classics, New York University

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Book SynopsisWhy Cicero Matters shows us how the Roman philosopher and statesman Marcus Tullius, better known as Cicero, can help realize a new political world. His impact on humanitarianism, the Enlightenment and the Founding Fathers of America is immense. Yet we give Julius Caesar all our attention. Why? What does this say about modern politics and political culture? This book gives us Cicero as an antidote to the myth of the strong man of history. Reading Cicero's On Duties alongside two more introspective philosophical texts, On Friendship and On Old Age, we see how Cicero turned politics into a higher, intellectual form of art, believing in education, in culture and above all in the power of philosophy to instil morality. Cicero has reassuring words on the indispensable work philosophers make, and why the common good needs philosophy. In an age when anti-intellectualism runs rampant, Why Cicero Matters introduces us to an ancient thinker who argues cultureTrade ReviewThis book offers an engaging introduction to key elements of Cicero’s political philosophy and shows how his views and arguments can still be relevant in contemporary society: comparisons with the modern world from the author’s personal perspective provide stimulating food for thought. * Gesine Manuwald, University College London, UK *Almost in the style of his subject’s Letters, Bufacchi strikes up a warm and witty friendship with Rome’s most famous orator and statesman; this short book offers a superb introduction to Cicero’s political and philosophical thought, yet is also a thought-provoking meditation on the rise of authoritarian populism today. * Victoria Rimell, Professor of Latin, University of Warwick, UK *An engaging and accessible account of Cicero, that emphasises his contemporary relevance. Bufacchi shows how Cicero’s criticisms of the authoritarian populists of his day apply to the little Caesars of today. He draws a compelling parallel between Cicero’s defence of the Roman Republic and our current defence of democracy, showing how it likewise turns on reviving the mixed constitution. * Richard Bellamy, Professor of Political Science, University College London, UK *A lively and entertaining argument that the republican politician-philosopher Cicero can speak to us on key issues that concern us today – when economic self-interest saps citizen solidarity, social media erodes relationships, and populist autocrats undermine democracy – all richly illuminated by reference to historical and contemporary events and ideas. * Iseult Honohan, Associate Professor Emeritus, Politics and International Relations, University College Dublin, Ireland *Table of ContentsPreface Introduction: It’s All Shakespeare’s Fault 1. Cicero, Homo Philosophicus 2. Politics as Ethics 3. The People’s Republic 4. The Value of Friendship 5. Getting Old, With Decorum 6. Rome Needs Philosophy Epilogue: Why Read Cicero Today Notes Bibliography Index

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Book Synopsis''Courage is knowing what not to fear'' Plato''One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors'' Without the work of Plato, western thought is, quite literally, unthinkable. No single influence has been greater, in every age and in every philosophic field. Even those thinkers who have rejected Plato''s views have found themselves working to an agenda he set. Yet between the neo-platonist interpretations and the anti-platonist reactions, the stuff of ''Platonism'' proper has often been obscured. The philosopher himself has not necessarily helped in the matter: at times disconcertingly difficult, at other disarmingly simple, Plato can be an elusive thinker, his meanings hard to pin down. His dialogues are complex and often ironically constructed and do not simply expand his views - which in any case changed and developed over a long life. In this lucid and exciting introductoTrade ReviewThe virtue of these deceptively brief books is that they are the real thing * EVENING STANDARD *The books should improve the cultural circulation of philosophy by their style as well as their substance * TES *A promising venture * THE TIMES *Rarely have intellectual sophistication and complexity come so cheap * FINANCIAL TIMES *If you want to acquire some first-hand experience of philosophy and democracy you would do well to read this welcome series * TIMES HIGHER EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT *

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Book SynopsisIt has been said that, after the Bible, Plato's dialogues are the most influential books in Western culture. And of the dialogues, the Symposium is the most delightful and accessible, requiring no special knowledge of ancient Greek philosophy or customs. Dramatizing a party in fifth-century B.C. Athens, the deceptively unassuming Symposium introduces--in the guise of convivial after-dinner conversation--profound ideas about the nature of love. In Phaedrus, here published together with the Symposium, Plato discusses the place of eloquence in expounding truth. In both dialogues, Socrates plays the leading role, by turns teasing, arguing, analyzing, joking, inspiring, and cajoling his followers into understanding ideas that have remained central to Western thought through the centuries.

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Book SynopsisThis book provides a balanced and accessible introduction to Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics. It carefully and comprehensively follows the thread of Aristotle’s argument and sheds light on topics that all too often receive little attention or are entirely ignored in the existing textbooks (such as self-control, legislative science and the legislator, the life of the money-maker, craft-knowledge, comprehension, and beastliness).Its objective is not only to offer an academically reliable presentation of Aristotle’s Ethics but to also defend Aristotle’s main tenets—or, at least, to present them in their most defensible form.It places the Nicomachean Ethics within the study of ethics generally; students are invited to understand Aristotle’s claims in the light of, or in contrast to, other ethical theories or their own intuitions about ethical matters.It follows the reader of the Nicomachean Ethics in action, registering questions, expectations and progress within an insightful exegesis of Aristotle's philosophical argument. It is replete with pedagogical tools including examples from our concrete everyday experience, paintings, films, and literature, end of chapter summaries, internet resources, suggestions for further reading, study questions, and essay questions.Table of Contents1. Happiness Is What All Seek.2. Virtues of Character: They Make “all the difference”3. Justice and the Just: Back and Forth.4. The Three Usurpers to the Position of Practical Wisdom: Science, Theoretical Wisdom, Craft.5. Practical Wisdom: At the Heart of Practical Truth.6. Those Who Are Not Practically Wise: Baseness, Self-control, Lack of Self-control, and Beastliness.7. Absolving Pleasure.8. Friendship: A Privileged Space of Mutual Visibility.9. First- and Second-Class Happiness.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"A sharp introductory primer on Stoicism. . . . Very finely translated."---Brendan Boyle, Wall Street Journal"Seneca, the Roman emperor Nero’s chief adviser, discussed death and how to prepare for it way back in the mid-1st century. . . . This new book, a synthesis of his writings on the subject . . . remains as timely today as ever."---Sarah Murdoch, Toronto Star"Romm’s collection does a service in contributing to bringing the philosopher back, not only to his fellow Classicists, but to every one of us who cares enough to think about how to live and how to die. . . . Not quite a book to die for, but one to enhance life."---Marguerite Johnson, Australian Book Review"[A] a potent compilation of passages."---Tracy Lee Simmons, City Journal

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Book SynopsisWe might think we are through with the past, but the past isn't through with us. Tragedy permits us to come face to face with the things we don't want to know about ourselves, but which still make us who we are. It articulates the conflicts and contradictions that we need to address in order to better understand the world we live in. A work honed from a decade's teaching at the New School, where 'Critchley on Tragedy' is one of the most popular courses, Tragedy, the Greeks and Us is a compelling examination of the history of tragedy. Simon Critchley demolishes our common misconceptions about the poets, dramatists and philosophers of Ancient Greece - then presents these writers to us in an unfamiliar and original light.Trade ReviewEngaging and thought-provoking without too much abstraction and with just enough detail to add flavour ... It has something of the chatty vigour of a successful seminar discussion ... infectiously enthusiastic ... . There is something genuinely invigorating about Critchley's eager open-mindedness, his willingness to step back from modernity to the ancient world and from philosophy to literature -- Emily Wilson * New Statesman *Simon Critchley beguiles as he illuminates -- David MitchellThoughtful, fascinating * New Yorker *

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Book SynopsisHow to live a better life. One of the most important books on Western philosophy - a powerful and inspirational guide for the complicated world of today''Refreshing and restorative'' GUARDIAN''An ancient work of spiritual reflection which remains a powerful reminder of how we could live a more dignified life by avoiding deceit, vanity and greed'' OK MAGAZINEFew ancient works have been as influential as the MEDITATIONS of Marcus Aurelius. Filled with wisdom, practical guidance, and profound understanding of human behaviour, it remains one of the greatest works of spiritual and ethical reflection ever written. Marcus''s insights and advice - on everything from living in the world to coping with adversity and interacting with others - have made the MEDITATIONS required reading for statesmen and philosophers alike, while generations of ordinary readers have responded to the straightforward intimacy of his style.In GregorTrade ReviewAn ancient work of spiritual reflection from the Roman emperor, which remains a powerful reminder of how we could live a more dignified life by avoiding deceit, vanity and greed * OK MAGAZINE *MEDITATIONS is unaffected by time and offers plenty of wisdom * IRISH EXAMINER *Refreshing and restorative. They tell you the worst. And having heard the worst, you feel less bad * GUARDIAN *An ancient work of spiritual reflection from the Roman emperor, which remains a powerful reminder of how we could live a more dignified life by avoiding deceit, vanity and greed. * OK! MAGAZINE - HOT STARS SUPPLEMENT *Meditations is unaffected by time and offers plenty of wisdom. * IRISH EXAMINER *

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewStalley...has...subjected the actual translation to `some fairly drastic revision'...the result is much greater clarity when it comes to both the Greek text and to exegesis of that text. The end-product is a most distinguished contribution to a collection whose prices seem to defy an economic return but I'm not complaining. * Greece and Rome Reviews 42 *Barker's translation has been given new life. * Polis *

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Book SynopsisXenophon's Memorabilia and Apology provide a passionate defence of Socrates against the charges brought against him that lead to his execution. The two texts together provide a moving account of what happened immediately before, during, and after his trial.Table of ContentsPreface Introduction Note on the Greek Texts Select Bibliography Abbreviations Chronology Maps MEMORABILIA Book 1 Book 2 Book 3 Book 4 APOLOGY Explanatory Notes Glossary of Greek Terms

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Book SynopsisTaking the form of a dialogue between Socrates, Gorgias, Polus and Callicles, GORGIAS debates perennial questions about the nature of government and those who aspire to public office. Are high moral standards essential or should we give our preference to the pragmatist who gets things done or negotiates successfully? Should individuals be motivated by a desire for personal power and prestige, or genuine concern for the moral betterment of the citizens? These questions go to the heart of Athenian democratic principles and are more relevant than ever in today''s political climate.Table of ContentsGorgiasAcknowledgmentsReference System Used in this EditionChronolgyIntroductionFurther ReadingA Note on the TextGorgiasA: Dialogue with GorgiasB: Dialogue with PolusC: Dialogue with CalliclesNotesGlossary of Greek TermsIndex

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Book SynopsisPhaedrus is widely recognized as one of Plato''s most profound and beautiful works. It takes the form of a dialogue between Socrates and Phaedrus and its ostensible subject is love, especially homoerotic love. This new translation is accompanied by an introduction, further reading, and full notes on the text and translation that discuss the structure of the dialogue and elucidate issues that might puzzle the modern reader.

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Book SynopsisThis book presents a history of spiritual exercises from Socrates to early Christianity, an account of their decline in modern philosophy, and a discussion of the different conceptions of philosophy that have accompanied the trajectory and fate of the theory and practice of spiritual exercises.Trade Review"Hadot's essays exhibit impressive scholarship and a habit of profound reflection. This is not a book for the casual reader but it is an important publication and should be a required text for every student of philosophy, classics and the history of ideas, and for any serious teacher of these subjects." The Tablet "Hadot's work is very engaging, knowledgeable, well written and insightful. I highly recommend this book for both general and professional readers." Richard S. Findler, Phil dept, Slippery Rock University for the History of European Ideas "Recommended for upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty." H. L. Shapiro, University of Missouri for ChoiceTable of ContentsTranslator's Note. Introduction. Part I: Method: . 1. Forms of Life and Forms of Discourse in Ancient Philosophy. 2. Philosophy, Exegesis and Creative Mistakes. Part II: Spiritual Exercise: . 3. Spiritual Exercise. 4. Ancient Spirituality and 'Christian Philosophy.'. Part III: Figures: . 5. Figure of Socrates. 6. Marcus Aurelius. 7. Reflections of the Idea of the 'Cultivation of the Self'. Part IV: Themes:. 8. Only the Present is our Happiness. 9. The View From Above. 10. The Sage and the World. 11. Philosophy as a Way of Life. Postscript. Bibliography. Index.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Provides useful tips on how to age well."--Wan Lixin, Shanghai Daily "[A] covetable little translation."--Karen Shook, Times Higher EducationTable of ContentsIntroduction vii How to Grow Old 1 Notes 179 Further Reading 195

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Book SynopsisHarperCollins is proud to present its incredible range of best-loved, essential classics.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewNow, readers can consult the Lives in a beautiful English translation by Pamela Mensch. This translation will undoubtedly supersede that by Robert Hicks, published in 1925 and until now the standard English version. [...] Oxford University Press have also done a wonderful job. The footnotes... are well judged, providing important background information without overwhelming the text. Embellishment is provided in the form of many philosophically inspired artworks, all handsomely reproduced [...] A set of essays by leading scholars such as Anthony Grafton, Ingrid Rowland and Dorandi himself help introduce the Lives and its reception to general readers. The book is like no history of philosophy that such readers will be used to. * Times Literary Supplement *Can there be a philosophy book for everyone? Luxurious yet affordable, this richly illustrated translation of Diogenes Laertius clearly implies an affirmative answer. Obviously, the success of this volume does not follow from the irresistible charm of Diogenes'text (to put it mildly), but from a multifaceted editorial effort that made the resulting artefact appealing to different kinds of readers. * Karel Thein, Eirene *A handsome new volume of Diogenes Laertius's Lives of the Eminent Philosophers provides an opportunity to revisit the biographer and the popular assumptions about him. I am delighted to have acquired Pamela Mensch's new translation of his major work, an edition you can't read on the subway but whose large dimensions are redeemed by the readable translation, glossy color images, and a collection of new accompanying essays (The New School's James Miller is the editor) ... Biographies can certainly get far more scandalous than Lives, but the personal lives of our intellectual ancestors are always juicy, forbidden fruits. * Ben Shields, Paris Review *The English translation by Pamela Mensch is lively, fresh, engaging, and eminently readable. Given the number of vagaries, jokes, technicalities, and such that proliferate in the Greek, this is a most impressive achievement. The copious notes, helpfully placed beneath the translation on each page, are superb at giving required information on names, dates, places, technical terms, and so forth in a crisp and accurate manner... This book offers a wealth of material on Diogenes Laertius: a translation, notes, a companion, a bibliography, all in one volume. It is a truly first-class resource, and everyone involved, including Oxford University Press, should be heartily congratulated for a brilliant achievement. That a book of this kind can be made affordable should be a salutary lesson for other academic publishers. I cannot recommend it highly enough. * Sean McConnell, Bryn Mawr Classical Review *This book will be useful to all students studying Greek philosophy, as both a reference to the past and a look into the birth of Greek philosophy ... Recommended. * CHOICE *Diogenes Laertius presented afresh with all the generosity, visual richness, and breadth of reference he deservesa wonderful edition. * Sarah Bakewell, author of At the Existentialist Café and How to Live *In this superbly produced and edited volume, the compendious work of the learned Diogenes Laertius at last receives the prominence that his unique contribution to our knowledge and understanding of ancient philosophy requires. The admirable translation by doyenne Pamela Mensch is accompanied by a full apparatus of the latest scholarship, including essays by over a dozen of the most eminent philosophers and historians of philosophy of our own day. * Paul Cartledge, author of Democracy: A Life *Diogenes Laertius is not Nietzsches dim-witted watchman of the history of Greek philosophy, but a fascinating and underrated figure. This is a wonderful edition, brilliantly translated, with a helpful introduction and accompanying set of essays by first-rate scholars. Although a precious source for many ancient philosophers, especially Epicurus, Diogenes Laertius is much more than a dull compiler. For anyone interested in the relations between philosophy and life, this book remains an excellent, accessible, and hugely entertaining starting point. Highly recommended. * Simon Critchley, author of The Book of Dead Philosophers *Diogenes Laertius' Lives provides a uniquely valuable and entertaining window on early Western philosophyif it is used wisely. This welcome edition and translation by Pamela Mensch and James Miller, together with its substantial accompanying essays, enables contemporary readers to make the most of it. * Anthony Gottlieb, author of The Dream of Reason and The Dream of Enlightenment *This splendid new translation of Diogenes Laertius' Lives is an indispensable resource for anyone interested in the therapeutic legacy of ancient Greek philosophy. Quirky, notoriously unreliable, relentlessly curious, it is also magnificent bedside reading, still able after many centuries to instruct and delight. * Stephen Greenblatt, author of The Swerve: How the World Became Modern *At last, thanks to Pamela Mensch's elegant and faithful translation, we can enjoy Diogenes Laertius' history of Greek philosophy for its own sake, as a wonderful compendium of doctrine and lore, as well as for the precious information (and sometimes misinformation) it provides about everything from the Pre-Socratics to Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics, and Epicurus. The notes are crisp and clear, illustrations are apt and abundant, and the translation is based on the most authoritative edition of the Greek text. It is a wonderful achievement. * David Konstan, author of Beauty: The Fortunes of an Ancient Greek Idea *Table of ContentsPreface, James Miller Introduction, A. A. Long Translator's Note, Pamela Mensch Map Lives of the Eminent Philosophers Book 1 Book 2 Book 3 Book 4 Book 5 Book 6 Book 7 Book 8 Book 9 Book 10 Essays Guide to Further Reading, Jay R. Elliott Glossary of Ancient Sources, Joseph M. Lemelin Illustration Credits Index

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Book SynopsisTwelve of the greatest voices from ancient Greece and Rome - and why they still inspire and affect us in the 21st century. A book for all readers who want to know more about the literature that underpins Western civilization.Trade ReviewIn this engaging book, the authors make a powerful case for the enduring relevance of the Classics ... From the impact of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey on young men in the trenches of the Great War, to Sappho's intriguing and passionate verses ... Pelling and Wyke take us on an enlightening journey. * JC, The Lady *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1: Homer 2: Sappho 3: Herodotus 4: Euripides 5: Thucydides 6: Plato 7: Caesar 8: Cicero 9: Virgil 10: Horace 11: Juvenal 12: Tacitus Epilogue Index

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Book Synopsis''Some of our greatest blessings come from madnessPhaedrus is widely recognized as one of Plato''s most profound and beautiful works. It takes the form of a dialogue between Socrates and Phaedrus and its ostensible subject is love, especially homoerotic love. Socrates reveals it to be a kind of divine madness that can allow our souls to grow wings and soar to their greatest heights. Then the conversation changes direction and turns to a discussion of rhetoric, which must be based on truth passionately sought, thus allying it to philosophy. The dialogue closes by denigrating the value of the written word in any context, compared to the living teaching of a Socratic philosopher.The shifts of topic and register have given rise to doubts about the unity of the dialogue, doubts which are addressed in the introduction to this volume. Full explanatory notes also elucidate issues throughout the dialogue that might puzzle a modern reader. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World''s Cla

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Book SynopsisDiscover how the ancient wisdom of the Stoics provides the essential tools you need to navigate the modern world.''Relatable and inspiring ... Get ready to be motivated to live a more Stoic life'' - Donald Robertson, author of How to Think Like a Roman EmperorElite sportsman Mark Tuitert used the principles of Stoic philosophy to become an Olympic gold medallist, champion athlete and successful entrepreneur, overcoming a series of challenges in his professional and private life. Now, in this internationally bestselling book, he lays out the ten practical lessons through which anyone, in any situation, can develop a Stoic mindset.Applying the teachings of the Stoic masters, including Marcus Aurelius, Seneca and Epictetus to the twenty-first century, Tuitert empowers you to discover how Stoicism can change your life and help you reach your full potential. He distils thousands of years of Stoic philosophy into ten short principles, with takeaways at the end of each chapter to help readers turn theory into practice from making major life decisions to sharing goals, from fostering teamwork to handling emotions.With this book as your guide, you will become trained in the art of finding fulfilment in a chaotic and unpredictable world, developing a mindset for a more robust, balanced and happier way of being.

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Book Synopsis''Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all'' Aristotle''Knowing yourself is the mark of all wisdom''''You will never do anything in this world without courage''Aristotle was one of the greatest philosophers that has ever lived. Taught by Plato, he was the first genuine scientist in history, a true pioneer of both science and philosophy. Widely credited as the inventor of the field of formal logic, his ideas have remained relevant throughout the world down through the centuries. Whilst little is known about his life, he tutored Alexander the Great and established a library in the Lyceum. The poet Dante called him ''the master of those who know''.Kenneth Mcleish''s short work is the perfect introduction to one of the most influential philosophers and scientists of all time.Trade ReviewThe virtue of these deceptively brief books is that they are the real thing * EVENING STANDARD *The books should improve the cultural circulation of philosophy by their style as well as their substance * TES *A promising venture * THE TIMES *Rarely have intellectual sophistication and complexity come so cheap * FINANCIAL TIMES *If you want to acquire some first-hand experience of philosophy and democracy you would do well to read this welcome series * TIMES HIGHER EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT *

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Book SynopsisA keepsake collection of the philosopher king''s private meditations is a modern translation of his perspectives on the world''s forefront religions and ethical traditions that also illuminates his role at the center of second-century culture. Original.

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Book SynopsisThis concise anthology of primary sources designed for use in an ancient philosophy survey ranges from the Presocratics to Plato, Aristotle, the Hellenistic philosophers, and the Neoplatonists. The Second Edition features an amplified selection of Presocratic fragments in newly revised translations by Richard D. McKirahan. Also included is an expansion of the Hellenistic unit, featuring new selections from Lucretius and Sextus Empiricus as well as a new translation, by Peter J. Anderson, of most of Seneca's De Providentia. The selections from Plotinus have also been expanded.

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Book SynopsisEaswaran’s best-selling translation of this classic Buddhist text The Dhammapada is reliable, readable, and profound.Dhammapada means "the path of dharma," the path of harmony and righteousness that anyone can follow to reach the highest good. The Dhammapada is a collection of verses, gathered probably from direct disciples who wanted to preserve what they had heard from the Buddha himself.Easwaran's comprehensive introduction to the Dhammapada gives an overview of the Buddha's teachings that is penetrating, and clear – accessible for readers new to Buddhism, but also with fresh insights and practical applications for readers familiar with this text. His translation is based on the original Pali. Chapter introductions, notes and a Sanskrit glossary place individual verses into the context of the broader Buddhist canon.Easwaran is a master storyteller, and the introduction includes many stories that make moving, memorable reading, bringing young Siddhartha and his heroic spiritual quest vividly to life. This faithful interpretation brings us closer to the compassionate heart of the Buddha.---Trade Review“No one in modern times is more qualified – no, make that ‘as qualified’ – to translate the epochal Classics of Indian Spirituality than Eknath Easwaran. And the reason is clear. It is impossible to get to the heart of those classics unless you live them, and he did live them. My admiration of the man and his works is boundless.” – Huston Smith, author of The World’s Religions

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Book SynopsisTaking full extent of S.R. Slings' new Greek text of the Republic, Reeve has given us a translation at once both accurate and limpid. Loving attention to detail and deep familiarity with Plato's thought are evident on every page.Trade Review"Taking full advantage of S. R. Slings' new Greek text of the Republic, Reeve has given us a translation both accurate and limpid. Loving attention to detail and deep familiarity with Plato's thought are evident on every page. Reeve's brilliant decision to cast the dialogue into direct speech produces a compelling impression of immediacy unmatched by other English translations currently available." —Lloyd P. Gerson, University of Toronto"Reeve's new translation can be highly recommended for its accurate and readable rendering of the original. . . . Those who read the Republic for the first time or for pleasure are sure to find this the most attractive and accessible translation currently available." —Naoko Yamagata, in Journal of Classics Teaching"David Reeve's long and devoted engagement with Plato's Republic, evidenced in his highly-regarded revision of George Grube's translation, issues now in a completely new translation of his own. In this version, Socrates' narration of his conversation with Glaucon and Adeimantus et al. is converted so far as possible into dramatically gripping and effective direct speech. Its increased accessibility promises to make it the number-one choice for undergraduate courses." —John Cooper, Princeton University "Reeve's new translation of Plato's Republic will be of value both to students approaching the work for the first time and, and a handy version for the more advanced reader. The translation is solid, the format and scholarly apparatus make it very accessible." —Thomas Cooksey, in The Classical OutlookTable of ContentsPreface. Acknowledgements; Maps. Genealogical Charts. Time Line; SELECTIONS: Acusilaus; Aelian; Aeschylus; Andron; Antoninus Liberalis; Apollodorus; Archilochus; Arrian; Babrius; Bacchylides; Bion; Callimachus; Cleanthes; Conon; Cornutus; Critias; Diodorus of Sicily; Eratosthenes; Euripides; Fulgentius; Hellanicus; Heraclitus; Herodorus; Herodotus; Hesiod; The Homeric Hymns; Horace; Hyginus; Longus; Lucian; Lucretius; Ovid; Palaephatus; Parthenius; Pausanias; Pherecydes; Pindar; Plato; Plutarch; Proclus; Sallustius; Sappho; Semonides; Simonides; Sophocles; Statius; Theocritus; Theophrastus; Thucydides; Vergil; Xenophanes; Xenophon; Appendix One: Linear B Sources (by Thomas G. Palaima); Appendix Two: Inscriptions; Appendix Three: Papyri; Note on Texts and Translations. Names and Transliterations. Index/Glossary.

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Book Synopsis''We are looking for the things that enable us to live a noble and happy life...and what prospects decent people will have of acquiring any of them.''The Eudemian Ethics is a major treatise on moral philosophy whose central concern is what makes life worth living. Aristotle considers the role of happiness, and what happiness consists of, and he analyses various factors that contribute to it: human agency, the relation between action and virtue, and the concept of virtue itself. Moral and intellectual virtues are classified and considered, and finally the roles of friendship and pleasure. It deals with the same issues as the better-known Nicomachean Ethics, with which it holds three books in common, and its special qualities, as well as the similarities and differences between the two works, are of fundamental concern to anyone interested in Aristotle''s philosophy.This is the first time the Eudemian Ethics has been published in its entirety in any modern language. Anthony Kenny''s fine translation is accompanied by a lucid introduction and explanatory notes, which assist the reader in understanding this important work. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World''s Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford''s commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.Table of ContentsTHE EUDEMIAN ETHICS

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Book SynopsisProviding nearly a hundred pages of additional material, this title offers the English translation of the account of Stoic ethics by Anus Didysmus, sources on Epicureanism, Stoicism, and Scepticism, expanded representation of Plutarch and Cicero, and a fuller representation of papyrological evidence.Trade ReviewThe selections are well chosen, the translation accurate and very readable, and the glossary and indices quite helpful. . . . it is to be recommended for it is the best available. --Peter Preuss, Canadian Philosophical ReviewInwood/Gerson furnish a collection ideal for the classroom. --Steven J. Willett, Syllecta Classica

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Book SynopsisThis translation of Plato's classic work is published along with an extensive introductory essay, which situates the work in the context of the development of Greek science and discusses points of contemporary interest.Trade ReviewDonald Zeyl's fresh and faithful translation and his lucid, comprehensive commentary will bring the sublime Timaeus to life for contemporary students of cosmology, metaphysics, history of science, and philosophy. --Sarah Broadie, Princeton University

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Book SynopsisUnderstand Logic is a comprehensive introduction to this fascinating though sometimes challenging subject. As well as looking at logic in theoretical terms the book considers its everyday uses and demonstrates how it has genuine practical applications. It will take you step by step through the most difficult concepts and is packed with exercises to help you consolidate your learning at every stage. Covering everything from syllogistic logic to logical paradoxes and even looking at logic in Alice in Wonderland, this is the only guide you will ever need.

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Book SynopsisHow to Be Perfect meets The Daily Stoic in this witty, entertaining, highly giftable compendium of quotidian wisdomTrade Review'A tour de force of philosophical frivolity that enlightens as well as entertains' Philosophy Now

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"The Essential Plotinus is a lifesaver. For many years my students in Greek and Roman Religion have depended on it to understand the transition from antiquity to the Middle Ages. The translation is crisp and clear, and the excerpts are just right for an introduction to Plotinus' many-layered view of the world and humankind's place in it." -- F E Romer, University of Arizona.Table of ContentsIntroduction; Beauty; The Intelligence, The Ideas, and Being; The Descent of the Soul; The Good or the One; The Three Primal Hypostases; The Post Primals; Virtue; Dialectic; The Soul; Contemplation; Appendices.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"This is a well-produced, stimulating book and a worthy addition to an excellent series."---Ray Morris, Classics for All"This is wisdom down the ages." * Paradigm Explorer *

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Book SynopsisNo mere legends or clichés ("Herculean task," "Pandora's box," "Achilles heel," etc.), these classic stories offer profound and manifold lessons, providing the first sustained attempt to answer fundamental human questions concerning "the good life," the burden of mortality, and how to find one's place in the world.Trade Review"In this marvelously wise and expansive book, Luc Ferry argues for the primacy of Greek myth. ... Ferry writes with warmth, wit, and energy; one could call his prose conversational, but it's rare to have a conversation quite this wonderful." -- Boston Globe "With Luc Ferry as a guide, our passage through the storied landscape of Greek mythology becomes a captivating lesson in philosophy." -- Le Monde (France) "Ferry's charm as a teacher bursts through on every page." -- Wall Street Journal "A marvelously wise and expansive book. ... Ferry writes with warmth, wit, and energy; one could call his prose conversational, but it's rare to have a conversation quite this wonderful." -- Boston Globe

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Book SynopsisThe works collected in this volume form the true foundation of Western philosophy - the base upon which Plato and Aristotle and their successors would eventually build. Yet the importance of the Pre-Socratics thinkers lies less in their influence - great though that was - than in their astonishing intellectual ambition and imaginative reach. Zeno''s dizzying ''proofs'' that motion is impossible; the extraordinary atomic theories of Democritus; the haunting and enigmatic epigrams of Heraclitus; and the maxims of Alcmaeon: fragmentary as they often are, the thoughts of these philosophers seem strikingly modern in their concern to forge a truly scientific vocabulary and way of reasoning.Table of ContentsPart 1: precursors; Thales; Anaximander; Anaximenes; Pythagoras; Alcmaeon; Xenophanes; Heraclitus. Part II: Parmenides; Melissus; Zeno. Part III: Empedocles; fifth-century Pythagoreanism; Hippasus; Philolaus; Ion of Chios; Hippo; Anaxagoras; Archelaus; Leucippus; Democritus; Diogenes of Apollonia.

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Book SynopsisThis is the largest selection of Stoic philosopher and tragedian Seneca's letters currently available. In them Seneca advises his friend Lucilius on how to do without what is superfluous, whether on the subject of happiness, riches, reputation, or the emotions. We learn too about Seneca's personal and political life in the time of Nero.

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Book SynopsisThe definitive sequel to New York Times bestseller How the Scots Invented the Modern World is a magisterial account of how the two greatest thinkers of the ancient world, Plato and Aristotle, laid the foundations of Western culture—and how their rivalry shaped the essential features of our culture down to the present day.   Plato came from a wealthy, connected Athenian family and lived a comfortable upper-class lifestyle until he met an odd little man named Socrates, who showed him a new world of ideas and ideals. Socrates taught Plato that a man must use reason to attain wisdom, and that the life of a lover of wisdom, a philosopher, was the pinnacle of achievement. Plato dedicated himself to living that ideal and went on to create a school, his famed Academy, to teach others the path to enlightenment through contemplation.   However, the same Academy that spread Plato’s teachings also fostered his greatest rival. Born to a family of Greek physicians, Aristotle had learned early on the value of observation and hands-on experience. Rather than rely on pure contemplation, he insisted that the truest path to knowledge is through empirical discovery and exploration of the world around us. Aristotle, Plato’s most brilliant pupil, thus settled on a philosophy very different from his instructor’s and launched a rivalry with profound effects on Western culture.   The two men disagreed on the fundamental purpose of the philosophy. For Plato, the image of the cave summed up man’s destined path, emerging from the darkness of material existence to the light of a higher and more spiritual truth. Aristotle thought otherwise. Instead of rising above mundane reality, he insisted, the philosopher’s job is to explain how the real world works, and how we can find our place in it. Aristotle set up a school in Athens to rival Plato’s Academy: the Lyceum. The competition that ensued between the two schools, and between Plato and Aristotle, set the world on an intellectual adventure that lasted through the Middle Ages and Renaissance and that still continues today.   From Martin Luther (who named Aristotle the third great enemy of true religion, after the devil and the Pope) to Karl Marx (whose utopian views rival Plato’s), heroes and villains of history have been inspired and incensed by these two master philosophers—but never outside their influence.   Accessible, riveting, and eloquently written, The Cave and the Light provides a stunning new perspective on the Western world, certain to open eyes and stir debate.Praise for The Cave and the Light  “A sweeping intellectual history viewed through two ancient Greek lenses . . . breezy and enthusiastic but resting on a sturdy rock of research.”—Kirkus Reviews   “Examining mathematics, politics, theology, and architecture, the book demonstrates the continuing relevance of the ancient world.”—Publishers Weekly   “A fabulous way to understand over two millennia of history, all in one book.”—Library Journal   “Entertaining and often illuminating.”—The Wall Street Journal

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Book SynopsisA translation of Plato's dialogue on the nature of pleasure and its relation to thought and knowledge. It includes a cogent introduction, notes, and comprehensive bibliography.Trade ReviewThis is an excellent translation: readable, concise, lucid, and very representative of the Greek. --Richard Kraut, Northwestern University

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Book SynopsisMichael Moore has a doctorate in philosophy at the University of Chicago. He specializes in the ideas of Plato and Aristotle and in the works of Epicurus, Plotinus, and Lucretius among others. While his primary concern is philosophy, he enjoys classical poetry, drama, and literature. Seeking to bring the ideas of the Ancient Greeks and Romans to a wider audience, he runs a blog at www.ancientgreekphilosopher.com

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Book SynopsisAmazons and giants, snakes and gorgons, centaurs and gryphons: monsters abounded in the ancient world. Del Lucchese grapples with the concept of monstrosity, showing how ancient philosophers explored metaphysics, ontology, theology and politics to respond to the challenge of radical otherness in nature and in thought.

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Book SynopsisAn accessible introduction to Stoic philosophy packed with inspirational quotes and practical ideas to help you live better.

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Book SynopsisIn this revealing and entertaining guide to how the Romans confronted their own mortality, Peter Jones shows us that all the problems associated with old age and death that so transfix us today were already dealt with by our ancient ancestors two thousand years ago.Romans inhabited a world where man, knowing nothing about hygiene let alone disease, had no defences against nature. Death was everywhere. Half of all Roman children were dead by the age of five. Only eight per cent of the population made it over sixty. One bizarre result was that half the population consisted of teenagers. From the elites' philosophical take on the brevity of life to the epitaphs left by butchers, bakers and buffoons, Memento Mori ('Remember you die') shows how the Romans faced up to this world and attempted to take the sting out of death.Trade ReviewFascinating... It is learned but an easy read, a rare combination. -- Christopher Howse * Daily Telegraph *An often amusing, always illuminating, guide which offers an intriguing vantage point at which to examine Roman life. * All About History *An enjoyable, engaging and educational book that makes ancient attitudes on mortality accessible to us all. * Lucia Marchini, Minerva *'Like everything else Jones writes, Eureka! is packed with intriguing nuggets for novices and experts alike... He flits between the beautiful and the banal, never missing a good story' Natalie Haynes, The Times * Natalie Haynes, The Times, on Eureka! *Jones is a storyteller at heart, unashamed to entertain while educating by stealth, as all the best teachers do. * Spectator on Eureka *Table of Contents1: Lifespan 2: Young versus old: a brief digression 3: The death of children 4: The trials of old age 5: Facing up to death 6: Exemplary and ignominious deaths 7: Cicero's De Senectute: 'On Old Age' . 8: Death and burial 9: Epitaphs and the afterlife 10: Epilogue: Memento Mori

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Book SynopsisEpictetus (c. 50-c. 135 AD) was a Greek Stoic philosopher. He believed that philosophy should be a way of life and not just a theoretical study. In this story, Epictetus is reminding us to focus only on what we can control – our own actions – and not spend time worrying about what we can't control. Happiness can only be achieved when we accept what we can't control and adopt the most positive outlook we can.By adapting famous animal parables, the Pocket Philosophy series seeks to introduce inquisitive readers of all ages – from 1 to 100! – to the biggest names in philosophy.

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Book SynopsisThe Categories is a foundational work in philosophy by the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle. This collection of stories authored by Aristotle seeks to gather many of his Nonfiction, history, Classics concepts into a single draft and provide them at an inexpensive price so that everyone can read them. Some stories are fascinating and fantastic, while others sneak up on you and draw you in. This 4th century BCE work is a foundational examination of ontologythe study of the nature of being and existence. Aristotle's Categories is a brief treatise divided into short chapters, and categories, each of which addresses a distinct aspect of how language and mind categorize and describe reality. The book opens with a consideration of substance, highlighting the central importance of particular beings or substances in our conceptual framework. Aristotle divides substances into two categories: substances in and of themselves (particulars) and characteristics or qualities (universals). The story has so many twists and turns that can engage a reader. Some stories are gruesome and bizarre, while others softly creep up on you and pull you in. This book additionally dives into other categories, like quantity, relation, place and time, and other one action, to explain how these ideas impact our view of the world. Aristotle also investigates the concepts of potentiality and actuality, which serve as the foundation for his metaphysical theories.

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Book SynopsisThe essence of perennial Stoic wisdom in aphorisms of stunning insight and simplicity. The West's first and best little instruction book offers thoroughly contemporary and pragmatic reflections on how best to live with serenity and joy.

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