Thomson, Thales to Sextus

Thomson, Thales to Sextus

$48.95

Thales to Sextus
An Introduction to Ancient Philosophy
Garrett Thomson
SKU: 27760 Category:

Description

The period spanning approximately 624–545 BC to 175–225 AD is often considered the most exciting in Western philosophy. Designed as a companion to the original works of the ancient philosophers from this early period, this introductory text spotlights seminal thinkers, including the Sophists; offers a detailed analysis of the thoughts and teachings of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle; and features a well-rounded assessment of the Hellenistic and Roman philosophers, examining Epicureanism, Stoicism, and skepticism. Thomson’s comprehensive treatment features accessible explanations of the philosophers’ central arguments in metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and politics. He presents critical assessments of the philosophers’ views and recounts some of the major interpretations of the original texts by noted scholars.
Reactions
“This is an impressive book—very useful with nicely schemed arguments. I recommend it very highly.” — Scott Aikin, Vanderbilt University

“An excellent guide to the subject: clear, comprehensive, and accessible.” — Gregory Fried, Suffolk University

“No student of ancient philosophy should be without this resource.” — Jacob Van Vleet, Diablo Valley College

Table of Contents
Historical and Cultural Introduction
The Archaic Period / The Classical Period / The Macedonian Empire / The Hellenistic Period / Philosophy

Part I: EARLY ANCIENT GREEK PHILOSOPHY

1. The Milesians and Ionians
The First Phase: The Milesians / The Second Phase: The Ionians / Conclusion

2. Parmenides and Zeno
Parmenides (515-445 BC) / Zeno (490-430 BC) / Melissus of Samos / Conclusion

3. The Pluralists, Atomists, and Sophists
The Fourth Phase: The Pluralists and Atomists / The Fifth Phase: The Sophists / Conclusion

Part II: INTRODUCTION TO SOCRATES AND PLATO

4. Socrates in the Early Dialogues of Plato
The Socratic Dialogues / Philosophical Method / Philosophical Theses / Sophism, Pre-Socratic Thought, and Religion / Socrates’s Trial and Death / Conclusion

5. Plato’s Views in Development
Introduction to Plato / Some Differences between Socrates and Plato / Plato’s Arguments against Sophism / The Protagoras / The Gorgias / The Meno / The Phaedo / Conclusion

6. Plato: Metaphysics and Epistemology
The Theory of Forms / Arguments for the Forms / The Republic / Conclusion

7. Plato: Justice and Love
The Challenges / The Overall Argument / Education / The Ideal State / The Symposium / The Phaedrus / Conclusion

8. Plato: Later Period
The Parmenides / The Theaetetus / The Timaeus / The Sophist and the Statesman / The Laws / Conclusion

Part III: INTRODUCTION TO ARISTOTLE

9. Aristotle: Logic and Science
Some Contrasts with Plato / The Organon: Scientific Method / The Categories / On Interpretation / Logic: The Prior Analytics / The Posterior Analytics / The Topics: Dialectic / Conclusion

10. Aristotle: Physics and Biology
A Brief Overview of the Physics / The Possibility of Change / Natural Change and the Four Causes / Motion / The Infinite / Place / Time / Continuity of Motion / Causes of Motion / On the Universe / Animals / Conclusion

11. Aristotle: Metaphysics
A Brief Overview / Wisdom and the Knowledge of First Principles / Being Qua Being / What Is Substance? / Plato and the Pre-Socratics / Theology / De Anima / Levels of Being Animate / Perception / Reason / Conclusion

12. Aristotle: Ethics, Politics, and Poetics
An Outline of the Nicomachean Ethics / Happiness as the Ultimate End / Happiness and Virtue / Virtues and the Mean / Responsibility / Practical Wisdom / The Intellectual Virtues / Incontinence or Akrasia / Friendship / Overview / The Household and the Polis / Kinds of City-States / The Ideal City-State / The Poetics / Conclusion

Part IV: INTRODUCTION TO HELLENISTIC AND ROMAN PHILOSOPHY

13. Epicureanism: Epicurus and Lucretius
Epicurus (341-270 BC) / Summary of Key Texts / Lucretius (99-55 BC) / Conclusion

14. Stoicism: Zeno of Citium, Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius
Zeno of Citium (334-262 BC) / Seneca (1 BC-65 AD) / Epictetus (55-135 AD) / Marcus Aurelius (121-180 AD) / Conclusion

15. Skepticism: Pyrrho and Sextus
Pyrrho of Elis (367-275 BC) / Academic Skepticism / Sextus Empiricus (175-225 AD) / Conclusion

Timeline
Glossary of Some Key Greek Terms

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