Description
Book SynopsisThere is a growing recognition that philosophy isn't unique to the West, that it didn't begin only with the classical Greeks, and that Greek philosophy was influenced by Near Eastern traditions. Yet even today there is a widespread assumption that what came before the Greeks was before philosophy. In Philosophy before the Greeks, Marc Van De Mier
Trade Review"Van De Mieroop is a highly respected Assyriologist, and his book provides a broad introduction to the intellectual principles which informed the long-lived and steady literary culture of 'Babylonia.'"--D. L. Dusenbury, Times Literary Supplement "Were this book a live performance, I would stand and applaud with vigor... I highly recommend this book to anybody interested in ancient history and philosophy. The clarity with which Van De Mieroop establishes his ideas result in a detailed, well-explained, and absolutely intriguing pioneer study on Babylonian epistemology and philosophy... For such ... a well-written, critical examination of what constitutes Babylonian philosophy, one would be foolish not to purchase and read it."--Biblical Review
Table of ContentsPreface vii PART I AN ESSAY IN BABYLONIAN EPISTEMOLOGY Chapter 1: At the Time of Creation 3 PART II THE ORDER OF THINGS (LES MOTS ET LES CHOSES) Chapter 2: Word Lists: A Very Short History 35 Chapter 3: Constructing Reality 59 PART III WRITINGS OF THE GODS Chapter 4: Omen Lists in Babylonian Culture 87 Chapter 5: The Structure of Knowledge of the Universe 113 PART IV THE WORD OF THE LAW Chapter 6: Of Ancient Codes 143 Chapter 7: The Philosopher-King 156 PART V A BABYLONIAN EPISTEMOLOGY Chapter 8: Babylonian Epistemology in History 185 Chapter 9: The Conceptual Autonomy of Babylonian Epistemology 216 Notes 225 Bibliography 257 Index 291
