Introduction to Presocratics: A Thematic Approach to Early Greek Philosophy with Key Readings

Despite what is commonly taught, Western philosophy did not begin with Socrates. The roots of Western philosophy and science, in fact, run much deeper than this watershed philosophical figure –– to a series of innovative Greek thinkers of the 6th and 5th century BCE. Introduction to Presocratics presents a succinct introduction to early Greek thought by following a thematic exposition of the topics and enquiries explored by the first philosophers of the Western tradition. Ionian figures such as Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes, Xenophanes, Heraclitus, and Pythagoras are covered; Eleatics such as Parmenides and Zeno; Pluralists or Neo–Ionians such as Empedocles, Anaxagoras and Democritus. Key areas of Presocratic philosophy are addressed, including principles, cosmos, being, soul, knowledge, and ethics. A brief account of the legacy and reception of the Presocratics in later philosophical traditions is also included. Also featured is an original translation of the main Presocratic fragments by renowned Classics Professor Rosemary Wright. Introduction to Presocratics offers illuminating insights into the true pioneers of philosophical thought in the Western tradition.

Preface Chronology Map 1. Introduction 2. The Philosophers 3. Principles 4. Cosmos 5. Being 6. Soul 7. Knowledge 8. Ethics 9. Conclusion Appendix A: Translation of the main fragments Appendix B: The Presocratic Sources Appendix C: The Presocratic Legacy Glossary of Greek terms Glossary of philosophical terms Bibliography Indexes

Giannis Stamatellos is Post Doctoral Researcher at the Center for Neoplatonic Virtue Ethics at the University of Copenhagen. He is the author of Plotinus and the Presocratics (2007).

"Anyone who has got his feet wet in the study of ancient philosophy knows that the later hilosophical period one works in, the greater the need is for intimate familiarity with its earlier stages. Since Presocratic philosophy is standardly considered the formative stage of ancient philosophy, Stamatellos’ Introduction to Presocratics offers the best kind of “happy marriage” in which his expertise, as the author of the aforementioned programmatic study of Presocratic presence in Plotinus’ thought, places him in the auspicious position of sharing his knowledge of the earliest and latest stages of ancient philosophy. In such introduction, the stakes are high and the book meets them."  ( The International Journal of the Platonic Tradition , 1 January 2013) "Writing an introduction to any subject is a difficult task.  Stamatellos does do an admirable job of lucidly explaining alien concepts to the novice.  There were frequent moments in reading the book when I wished that I had first approached a topic as Stamatellos presents it."  ( Bryn Mawr Classical Review, 1 December 2012)