Ancient Greek Philosophy: From the Presocratics to the Hellenistic Philosophers

Ancient Greek Philosophy: From the Presocratics to the Hellenistic Philosophers presents a comprehensive introduction to the philosophers and philosophical traditions that emerged in the ancient Greek world from the period 585 bc to 100 bc. Coverage begins with the Milesian naturalists and the intellectual revolution that paved the way for the ancient philosophical tradition. Parmenides and the Pluralists are then addressed, followed by the central figure of Socrates and then Plato and Aristotle. With coverage of Epicurus and the Epicureans, the Stoics, and Academic Skeptics, we are then shown the key strands of thought that developed within the ancient philosophical tradition as the Hellenistic philosophers united in their opposition to perceived excesses of the classical tradition of Plato and Aristotle. Combining rich illustrative excerpts with rigorous scholarly analysis, Ancient Greek Philosophy is an illuminating introduction to the evolution of ideas that shaped Western philosophical tradition.

Preface. Acknowledgments. Text Acknowledgments. Introduction . Part I: The Presocratics . Timeline. 1. The Milesian Revolution. 1.1. The Milesians Turn to Nature. 1.2. Parmenides. 1.3. A Defense of the Inquiry into Nature. Further Reading for Part I. Part II: Socrates . Timeline. 2. The Good Life. 2.1. Definitions. 2.2. The Love of Wisdom. 2.3. Intellectualism. 3. Against the Sophists. 3.1. The Sophists Come to Athens. 3.2. The Sophist Sells Teachings for the Soul. 3.3. Rhetoric is Blind to the Good . Further Reading for Part II. Part III: Plato . 4. Three Platonic Theories. 4.1. The Theory of Recollection. 4.2. The Theory of Forms. 4.2. The Tripartite Theory of the Soul. 5. Justice and its Reward. 5.1. The Opening Conversation. 5.2. Justice. 5.3. The Just Life is Better . .. Further Reading for Part III. Part IV: Aristotle. 6. Second Philosophy. 6.1. Natural Bodies and their Specific Behaviors. 6.2. Natures are Forms. 6.3. Teleology in Nature. 7. Psychology. 7.1. The Soul is the Form of the Body. 7.2. Induction. 7.3. Becoming like the Unmovable First Mover. 8. First Philosophy. 8.1. The Science of Being. 8.2. Substances are Forms. 8.3. No Universal is a Substance. 9. Ethics.. 9.1. The Function Argument. 9.2. Theoretical Wisdom. 9.3. Practical Wisdom. Further Reading for Part IV. Part V: Hellenistic Philosophers. Timeline. 10. Reaction to the Classical Tradition. 10.1. Epicureanism. 10.2. Stoicism. 10.3. Skepticism. Further Reading for Part V. References. Index of Passages. General Index.

Thomas A. Blackson is a member of the Philosophy Faculty in the School of Historical, Philosophical, and Religious Studies at Arizona State University.

“Thomas Blackson’s Ancient Greek Philosophy is an introductory–level overview of philosophy from the Presocratic through the Hellenistic periods.  It would serve as an ideal companion for a Survey of Ancient Philosophy course.  B.’s prose is lucid and accessible, his interpretations of many of the texts are compelling and interlace nicely, and he provides informative footnotes and annotations.  This is a very useful book.”  ( Classical Review , 2012) “Recommended.  Lower–and upper–level undergraduates.”  ( Choice , 1 May 2012) "I should conclude by reiterating that I enjoyed and benefited from following Blackson′s attempts to trace some continuities of interest and debate in the principal ancient philosophers." (Bmcreview, 12 October 2011)