Description
Book SynopsisThis Oxford Reader seeks to introduce some of the main philosophical questions raised by the Greek and Roman philosophers of classical antiquity. Selections from the writings of ancient philosophers are interspersed with Terence Irwin''s incisive commentary, and sometimes with contributions from modern philosophers expounding relevant philosophical positions or discussing particular aspects of classical philosophy. The arrangement of the book is thematic, rather than chronological, allowing the reader to focus on philosophical problems and ideas, but a general introduction places philosophers and schools within their historical context. Irwin brings together contributions which shaped debates about knowledge, freedom, ethics, politics, and religious belief - debates which continue to be contested today, 2500 years from their conception.
Trade ReviewThe book is overwhelmingly good, and will certainly become a set text in universities throughout the English-speaking world. * Robin Waterfield, The Heythrop Journal,Vol.41, No.4 *
Irwin ... has the ability to communicate the importance and interest of ancient philosophy for beginners in an accessible and lucid fashion, which is highly informative and deeply thoughtful without being dense. * Robin Waterfield, The Heythrop Journal,Vol.41, No.4 *
Commentary is achieved through a series of remarkable introductions ... each edition is a mini-masterpiece of compression. * Robin Waterfield, The Heythrop Journal, Vol.41, No.4. *
Table of ContentsI INTRODUCTION; II NATURE, CHANGE, AND CAUSE: NATURAL PHILOSOPHY BEFORE PLATO; III ORIGINS OF SCEPTICISM: KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF IN EARLY GREEK PHILOSOPHY; IV KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF: FROM SOCRATES TO SCEPTICISM; V KNOWLEDGE, BELIEF, AND FORMS: SOCRATES AND PLATO; VI FORM AND MATTER: ARISTOTLE AND STOICISM; VII KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF: ANSWERS TO SCEPTICISM; VIII SOUL AND BODY; IX FREE WILL; X GOOD, PLEASURE, AND HAPPINESS; XI KNOWLEDGE AND DESIRE IN VIRTUE; XII THE GOOD OF OTHERS; XIII VIRTUE AND HAPPINESS; XIV POLITICAL THEORY; XV PHILOSOPHY AND THEOLOGY; INDEX OF AUTHORS; FURTHER READING; GENERAL INDEX
