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An intellectual history of the ancient world from the 8th century B.C.E. to the 5th cenury C.E.. It describes and evaluates ancient thought in its cultural setting, showing how it affected and was affected by that setting. The greatest philosophers and some of the lesser known all recieve careful description and evaluation. ... Read more

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This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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Retrieving the Ancients tells the story of the first philosophers in the West.

• A clear and engaging introduction to ancient Greek philosophy.
  
• Tells the story of the first philosophers in the West, from Thales to Aristotle.
  
• Has a strong sense of narrative drive.
  
• Treats the history of ancient Greek philosophy dialectically, as a conversation in which each thinker responds to and moves beyond his predecessors.
  
• Argues that the works of the ancients are as valuable today as ever.

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent introduction to Greek philosophy
This is a really good book for those wanting to gain an understanding of the early Western ideas of philosophy. Roochnik guides the reader from the "founders" in the so-called Milesian School all the way through to Aristotle. Having read Plato earlier in life, it was quite interesting to learn how the dialectic that culminated in Platonic and Aristotelian philosophy initially formed in the Pre-Socratic days of Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes, Heraclitus, Parmenides, and others. I'm especially fascinated with Heraclitus and his idea of flux...the perpetual becoming of all things. This idea is also presented in the Buddhist doctrine of annica, which outlines reality as fundamentally impermanent and indeed, in continuous motion and change.

Roochnik goes on to describe the many additional thoughts that grew out of the early naturalist ideas that were themselves responses to the mythic framework that had been at the forefront of Greek culture for centuries. A great deal of the contemplation surrounded notions of the arche, or First Principle, of the world and all creation. The naturalists of the Milesian School looked to the elements - fire, water, air, and earth - to find the foundation of all things, while other philosophers posited an "unmoved mover".

The ancient Greek thinkers offer a great view of our earliest inklings of higher thought as a species and the intellectual steps taken to arrive at the epistemological foundation that would ultimately lead to science as we know it today. In my opinion, Retrieving the Ancients is an excellent introduction to this area of study.

profound, lucid, moving
If there's a more graceful, convincing, learned and moving introduction to ancient thought out there, I don't know it. This work is philosophically deep, and yet not cold to the language, style and emotions that moved the various authors (Presocratics, Plato, Aristotle) to philosophize, teach and write. Roochnik lays out the history of ancient thought in four chapters (Presoc., Sophists and Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle). Moreover he refers to contemporary thinkers, and to our near contemporary Nietzsche, from time to time, in order to show the relevance of classical thought to philosophy today. (He also briefly compares The Symposium to Macbeth.) The book culminates in a defence of Aristotle that I find convincing (because, as I see it, Aristotle combines philosophical insight with a interlocking picture of how things hang together, while giving us a robustly commonsensical account of what the human animal is, and can be). But the chapter on Plato is sympathetic and compelling too, if unorthodox -- because it finds a tension in Plato's discussion of the city between the ideal and real (usually expositors find only an emphasis on the ideal).

Anyhow, here's a snippet of the writing; Roochnik has just quoted Heraclitus on lice in fragment B56:

"Knowledge is like lice. If it is grasped, it is lost. Only if it is missed is it kept. There is a necessary elusiveness in Heraclitus' writing. It is meant to articulate the fluid alterations of temporal beings. It is designed to do justice to the negations of temporal flow. His logos, therefore, must be enigmatic. Were it not, it would be false." (37.) ..."Heraclitean flux seems to shake the ground under our feet. Nothing endures. Such a thought may well cause despair. If nothing endures, then one might conclude that nothing matters. But Heraclitus' own writings do not suggest a trace of despondency." (37) ...

See? Clear and smart. I recommend this book to many, even ambitious grade 12 students, or older curious neophyte generalists, as well as to philosophy students.
... Read more

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Oxford Studies in Ancient Philosophy is a volume of original articles on all aspects of ancient philosophy. The articles may be of substantial length, and include critical notices of major books. OSAP is now published twice yearly, in both hardback and paperback. ... Read more

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This is the first comprehensive guide and only substantial undergraduate level introduction to ancient Greek ethics, covering the ethical theories of all the major philosophers (including Socrates, Plato, Aristotle) and schools (Stoics, Skeptics, Epicureans, Pyrrhonism) from the earliest times to the Hellenistic philosophers analyzing their main arguments and assessing their legacy. ... Read more

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One of the great fears many of us face is that despite all our effort and striving, we will discover at the end that we have wasted our life. In A Guide to the Good Life, William B. Irvine plumbs the wisdom of Stoic philosophy, one of the most popular and successful schools of thought in ancient Rome, and shows how its insight and advice are still remarkably applicable to modern lives.
In A Guide to the Good Life, Irvine offers a refreshing presentation of Stoicism, showing how this ancient philosophy can still direct us toward a better life. Using the psychological insights and the practical techniques of the Stoics, Irvine offers a roadmap for anyone seeking to avoid the feelings of chronic dissatisfaction that plague so many of us. Irvine looks at various Stoic techniques for attaining tranquility and shows how to put these techniques to work in our own life. As he does so, he describes his own experiences practicing Stoicism and offers valuable first-hand advice for anyone wishing to live better by following in the footsteps of these ancient philosophers. Readers learn how to minimize worry, how to let go of the past and focus our efforts on the things we can control, and how to deal with insults, grief, old age, and the distracting temptations of fame and fortune. We learn from Marcus Aurelius the importance of prizing only things of true value, and from Epictetus we learn how to be more content with what we have.
Finally, A Guide to the Good Life shows readers how to become thoughtful observers of their own life.If we watch ourselves as we go about our daily business and later reflect on what we saw, we can better identify the sources of distress and eventually avoid that pain in our life. By doing this, the Stoics thought, we can hope to attain a truly joyful life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (27)

Great for Beginners
This is a thorough and well-written introduction to stoicism. Prof. Irvine provides both historical context and a discussion of the major tenets of stoicism. The discussion of Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius were excellent and the common sense approach to topics in ethics including the nature of the good life made this a joy to read. The addition of suggestions for the practice of stoicism was a plus.A good book for both beginners and those looking for a refreshing approach to the subject.

Practical, useable, reasonable,
A wealth of Stoic info and practice between these covers. If you're a "natural" Stoic, if Stoicism excites you and you're drawn to it, if you're "green", if you have always had a sneaking suspicion that the values you grew up with--the attainment of wealth, power, popularity, status, advancement, reputation--really will never bring you lasting contentment, you will find much to support you in this book via information, logic, reasoning, quotes from Stoics and especially...practices.

Epictetus, Seneca, et. al., give us prescriptions for medicine which will bring contentment, tranquility, joy, inner peace. The author has turned these prescriptions into practices/pills which we have to "take" in order to receive the benefit. There are relatively few practices--I won't go into detail about them--and they turn attitudes and values upside down! And, in order TO have something different, experience something different, we do have to make changes. These changes are in the realm of challenging attitudes, perceptions and values which do NOT bring tranquility.

If you're still thinking that a new car, a new job, a raise, a new spouse, a new house, a move to another part of the country, a _____, will bring contentment but are beginning to question these values, read this book. If you already are out of the "acquisition = happiness" equation, then this book may give you some added means and methods of finding delight in the simple and ordinary. After all, the simple and ordinary are always available.

Meh.
The author does a pretty good job of introducing the reader to the history of Stoicism. The only thing that makes this book a 3 star instead of a 4 or 5 star is the way the author broke down some of his ideas. He went into way too much detail explaining things that I felt were obvious. I enjoyed most of the book though and would recommend it to anyone as a basic introduction to Stoicism.

Irvine did a valuable service with this book.
I think Dr. Irvine did a valuable service by writing this book.I had heard quotes from Stoics over time but I had never read a description of most of the major Stoic techniques for the objective of attaining tranquillity.This book provides such a description.It also dispells myths about what Stoicism is.I appreciate the fact that Dr. Irvine gave more than one argument for each psychological technique or bit of advice.I am convinced to give all of the techniques and advice a try.I will continue to read parts of this book over time.And, I will read some of the books that Dr. Irvine included in the chapter entitled "A Stoic Reading Program."I highly recommend this book to anyone who is trying to deal with depression, anxiety, or stress.

A dangerous book
This is a dangerous book, one of those so good that you will be led to buy others on the same subject. After reading it, I bought and am reading works by both Seneca and Marcus Aurelius. Where it will end I cannot say.

This is a book that can allow you to deal with the urge to be "good" and moral in a post-Christian world. If you feel the need for morality but have difficulty with faith and the nature of the creator of the universe (Are you an agnostic?), this book can be a viable guide and inspiration. BTW, stoicism is not a dour, dumb acceptance of disasters, but rather a joyful approach allowing one to appreciate the good and joyous in life rather than dwelling on the misfortunes of the human condition.

I can heartily recommend it ... Read more

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Widely praised for its accessibility and its concentration on the metaphysical issues that are most central to the history of Greek philosophy, Greek Philosophy: Thales to Aristotle offers a valuable introduction to the works of the Presocratics, Plato, and Aristotle.

For the Third Edition, Professor Allen has provided new translations of Socrates' speech in the Symposium and of the first five chapters of Aristotle's Categories, as well as new selections bearing on Aristotle's Theory of Infinity, Continuity, and Discreteness. The book also contains a general introduction which sets forth Professor Allen's distinctive and now widely accepted interpretation of the development of Greek philosophy and science, along with selective bibliography, and lists of suggested readings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

not what was promised
The book's condition was a little more beat up than I would have liked to see it in. Please honestly tell what condition you are sending the book in, not just, very-good for everything.

Allen's Greek Philosophy
For a teacher willing to present his or her own analysis of the period, but looking for an inexpensive source of well-translated key texts from the pre-Socratics to Aristotle, this collection is unbeatable. At 450 pages it contains more than enough core reading for a one-term course. Moreover, it includes the 'unmoved mover' argument from the 'Phaedrus', which its competitors, even at twice the length and thrice the price do not.

quality book of original texts
This book does not deal with analysis, it is a book of the texts of the ancients. The textual translations are accurate, and the sources Allen provides for further research are sound. It is an inexpensive quality wayto learn the extant writings of the Ancients. If you are looking foranalysis or explanation, though -- look elsewhere. ... Read more

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A concise anthology for a survey of ancient philosophy that ranges from the Presocratics through the Neoplatonists, Introductory Readings in Ancient Greek and Roman Philosophy features a judicious selection of key works from a philosophical tradition that extends from roughly 600 BCE to 600 CE. Among this collection's hallmarks are a previously unpublished translation of Plato's Meno by C.D.C. Reeve, substantial selections from his 2004 translation of Plato's Republic, and a rich offering of other translations noted for their accuracy and accessibility. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A decent book.
The book is very thorough, but monotonous, making it a very boring read. Classroom material obviously, so if you have a class with this book, be prepared to be EXTREMELY bored.

good introduction
this introduction is not a book with views of (modern) scientists about ancient philosophy, but gives the relevant texts from the ancient philosophers themselves. The choice of the texts is excellent and i will use this book for my introductory course on ancient philosophy at my University. ... Read more

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An important volume connecting classical studies with feminism, Feminism and Ancient Philosophy provides an even-handed assessment of the ancient philosophers' discussions of women and explains which ancient views can be fruitful for feminist theorizing today. The papers in this anthology range from classical Greek philosophy through the Hellenistic period, with the predominance of essays focusing on topics such as the relation of reason and the emotions, the nature of emotions and desire, and related issues in moral psychology. The volume contains some new, ground-breaking essays on Plato, Aristotle, and the Stoics, as well as previously published pieces by established scholars like Martha Nussbaum and Julia Annas. It promises to be of interest to an interdisciplinary audience including those working in classics, ancient philosophy, and feminist theory. ... Read more

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This anthology is intended as a core text for courses in aesthetics or philosophy of art. It contains a wealth of readings from both classic and contemporary sources, and aims to present substantial selections from those texts rather than mere "snippets." Readings are organized historically within four broad themes so that students can see how concepts of art have evolved and been debated. Each reading is introduced by the authors, who suggest connections between the reading and others in the anthology. Unlike other anthologies on the market, The Philosophy of Art is both comprehensive and affordable, making it the ideal book for course use. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

What i asked for
I received what i asked for, although it took longer than i expected it was delivered within the set time and the description was accurate

Review
The book was in great condition except for a razor slice in the back. It was shipped in a timley manner as well.

extremely helpful
this book is extremely helpful for my class and the amount of time it took to get here was a life saver seeing it showed up right before my first assignment it was also much cheaper than anywhere else which saved me more than half the money i had.

Aesthetics for the True Student
This book is filled with primary texts. It does not contain a guide per se to understanding each selection. However, I think this is exactly what is needed in a philosophy anthology. The selections were definitely limited to ancient to modern texts and this leaves out post modern writings on aesthetics. I enjoyed the book it contained a good range of thinkers from Tolstoy, Hume and Kant. ... Read more

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Ancient Greece was the cradle of philosophy in the Western tradition. Meet the Philosophers of Ancient Greece brings the thoughts and lives of the pioneers of Western philosophy down from their sometimes remote heights and introduces them to a modern audience. Comprising of seventy essays, written by internationally distinguished scholars in a lively and accessible style, this book presents the values, ideas, wisdom and arguments of the most significant thinkers from the world of ancient Greece. Commencing with Thales of Miletus and continuing to the end of the Ancient Period of philosophy by way of Heraclitus, Parmenides, Protagoras, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Archimedes, Epictetus this book explores the major contributions of each philosopher as well as looking at archeological and historical sites where they lived, worked and thought. This book is an outstanding introduction to the world of the philosophers of Ancient Greece. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Meet the Philosophers of Ancient Greece
This easy to read book is a "Who is Who" in the development of western thought. It treats more than 50 of the ancient Greek philosophers and also explains the significance of 14 of the most well-known historical sites in ancient Greece. Each topic is individually treated by an international expert and, although written in a non-academic style, each topic has annotated footnotes which can lead the serious reader to more formal research. This handy little book is a must-have for readers and travelers to the region with even a casual interest in the history of western philosophy. ... Read more

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The Blackwell Guide to Ancient Philosophy provides a comprehensive treatment of the principal figures and movements of philosophy from its origins before Socrates, through the towering achievements of Plato and Aristotle, and into its final developments in late antiquity.

• Provides a comprehensive guide to ancient philosophy from the pre-Socratics to late antiquity.
  
• Written by a cast of distinguished philosophers.
  
• Covers the pre-Socratics, the sophistic movement, Epicureanism, academic skepticism, stoicism, and the neo-Platonists.
  
• Features an index and a comprehensive bibliography of both primary and secondary works.

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What is the nature of law?Does our obligation to obey the law extend to unjust laws?From what source do lawmakers derive legitimate authority?What principles should guide us in the design of political institutions?These essays by prominent contemporary philosophers explore how these questions were addressed by ancient political thinkers.Classical theories of human nature and their implications for political theory are examined, as is the meaning of freedom and coercion in Plato's thought and his idea that philosophers should be political rulers.Other essays ask what we can learn from ancient thinkers like Aristotle about the principles of constitutional design or the limits of political obligation. ... Read more

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Ancient Greek Philosophy: From the Presocratics to the Hellenistic Philosophers presents a comprehensive introduction to the philosophers and philosophical traditions that developed in ancient Greece from 585 BC to 529 AD.

• Provides coverage of the Presocratics through the Hellenistic philosophers
• Moves beyond traditional textbooks that conclude with Aristotle
• A uniquely balanced organization of original source material with depth of commentary, informed by classroom feedback
• Contextual commentary traces the development of lines of thought through the period, ideal for students new to the discipline
• Can be used in conjunction with the online resources found at http://tab.faculty.asu.edu/toc.html

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One of the most popular of the Hellenistic schools of philosophy in antiquity, Stoicism flourished for some five hundred years and has remained a constant presence throughout the history of Western philosophy. Its doctrines appealed to people from all strata of ancient society-from the slave Epictetus to the emperor Marcus Aurelius. This book provides a lucid, comprehensive introduction to this great philosophical school. It gives an overview of the history of the school, covers its philosophy as a system, and explores the three main branches of Stoic theory. John Sellars includes historical information on the life and works of the ancient Stoic philosophers and summaries, analyses, and appraisals of their principal doctrines in logic, physics, and ethics. He also includes a fascinating account of the Stoic legacy from later antiquity to the present. The volume includes a glossary and chronology, which, together with its accessible yet authoritative approach, makes it the ideal choice for students, scholars, and general readers interested in what Stoicism has meant, both philosophically and historically, for western civilization. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Remarkable
Excelent Introduction. It sums up a lot of accurate information and doesn't assume prior knowledge. I would also recommend it for a advanced reader of Stoicism who wants a short book to help him remember some historical details. This book can help the advanced reader to organize many different bits of information we learn as we read different books. Therefore, it can be recommended for both the beginner looking for a good introduction and the more experienced reader of stoicism.

Stoicism hits the mark.
The traditional caricature that portray Stoic philosophers as stone faced, unemotional, and indifferent thinkers "does not tell the whole story" according to John Sellars' recent book, Stoicism. Some fifteen hundred years since Stoicism fell into antiquity, it is fair to say its influence is very much part of the western mind to this day. The book is presented as an introduction for students and general audiences alike in an accessible way and has some reasonable depth that will challenge novice readers. Sellers acknowledges the limits of this introduction, but presents a well organized overview of the history and what Epictetus called topoi or areas of study.

It begins with a brief history of Stoic philosophy, beginning with Zeno in 330B.C.E. and ending with Simplicius in 529C.E. Although many Stoic texts were lost to history, as noted by the author, we have lengthy works from Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius and are able to glean important information and understanding from critics of Stoicism like the well-known skeptic Sextus Empiricus. I found the authors observation that the nature of Stoicism is itself partly responsible for its own decline interesting. According to Sellars, the Stoics where inspired by Socrates' focus on applying wisdom to living over theorizing which may have lent to less writing and more living the philosophy. He states, "For Epictetus, it is not the voluminous author Chrysippus who stands as his philosophical role model; rather it is Socrates, who expresses his philosophy in deed rather than words" (28). The Stoic ideal is of the sage who has the correct understanding of nature and lives in accordance with their nature.

From there we launch into the Stoic system: the three topos of Stoicism - logic, physics, and ethics. To the more ethics oriented readers, like myself, the feeling of dread looms over chapters titled logic or physics; expecting dry logical syllogisms and mathematical theorems that are barely intelligible. Fortunately, this is not the case; the author discusses Stoic logic and physics by providing basic but interesting summaries, and explains the important points and arguments. In addition, we learn the Stoic philosophy of language, ontology, cosmology, theology, epistemology, and psychology. We learn of "assertables" and "sayables," but what was most interesting in these chapters is the Stoics view of interconnectedness of nature and its inhabitants, what Sellars calls "cosmobiology" and today is discussed as the Gaia hypothesis, nature is conscious. Stoic logic and physics are part of a complex system and Sellars clearly presents the arguments, problems, and debates.
The final part of the Stoics topos is the ethical. From the logic and physics it follows that the core of human behavior is self-preservation, but a preservation of not merely our biology. Our rational-self that is most important because it is in the rational we find virtue. The Stoic's breakdown impressions, feelings, and emotions and argue we give "assent" to certain impressions and deny others; there are things that are "up to us" and "not up to us." The most interesting is the inward looking Stoics distinction between virtue and happiness. The commonly held view is to be happy is to get what you want, but the Stoics disagree and argue that to be happy requires virtue, which they understand as a healthy soul or disposition - "something choice-worthy for its own sake" (124). Sellars gives an interesting and solid discussion about Stoic ethics and their political cosmopolitanism.

The final section gives a brief look at the influence of Stoicism in Western philosophy. Important thinkers like Spinoza (perhaps the closest to Stoics), Kant, Nietzsche, Marx, Russell, Foucault, and Deleuze, to name a few, discusses Stoicism. For some, Stoics are a beacon while for others they are misguided or just wrong. Stoic philosophy has come in and out of fashion over the centuries perhaps due to its enigmatic nature, for it is persuasive, paradoxical, and problematic all at the same time. Sellars book brings this to light in an excellent, informative introduction to this fascinating philosophical system. For those interested in continuing their study of Stoicism or more specific topoi, the author provides an excellent guide to readings including top scholars. I would say if readers are interested in Stoicism and want a solid, thoughtful introduction than this is the book to read.

A Fine Historical Summary
A fine historical summary of stoicism. I found the stoic treatment of emotions especially interesting. The chapter on the influence of stoicism in later centuries was very helpful. Foucault a stoic!

Reads Like a Textbook
A dry and academic survey. Probably written as a text for a college level course. Not a book for the casual reader seeking insight into stoicism.

Non-grad students beware
An academic work, not user-friendly for popular consumption like "A Guide to the Good Life." ... Read more

Product Description
Originally published under the General Editorship of Thomas H. Greer, the series emanated from the Humanities Department of Michigan State University. The books remain today perhaps the best sources available for the comprehensive study in one volume of every subject area which might be included in the umbrella of humanities. Most major literary forms are represented: essay, poem, short story, play, novel, memoir, epigram, scientific discourse, philosophical treatise, political manifesto, and religious proclamation. All major subject areas are explored: art, music, education, mathematics, biology, psychiatry, religion, philosophy, politics, economics, and physics. The informative apparatus, headnotes, and footnotes are all aimed at enhancing the student-reader's comprehension. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Classics of Western Thought Series: The Ancient World Vol. 1
Ordered this particular book to accompany a distance education course by the most excellent Dr. John Riddle of North Carolina State University.This book of original works was the basis for great literature discussions during this course.

A Great Anthology of Classical Thought
Got this for a college course I took on the Classical World. I actually own Vol. I, II, and III. The book gives you snipets of great classical works, which has nevertheless led me to purchasing the actual books in many instances. ... Read more

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Oxford Studies in Ancient Philosophy is a volume of original articles on all aspects of ancient philosophy. The articles may be of substantial length, and include critical notices of major books. OSAP is now published twice yearly, in both hardback and paperback. This volume covers a wide chronological range of ancient philosophy, from the Presocratics, Heraclitus and Anaxagoras, to Galen and Aspasius in the second century AD.At the core of the volume are five articles on Aristotle. ... Read more