Presocratics / James Warren.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Warren, James, 1974- author.

Series:

Ancient philosophies ; 2.

Ancient philosophies ; [2]

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Pre-Socratic philosophers.

Philosophy, Ancient.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xv, 224 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Place of Publication:

Durham : Acumen Publishing, 2007.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The earliest phase of philosophy in Europe saw the beginnings of cosmology and rational theology, metaphysics, epistemology, and ethical and political theory. It saw the development of a wide range of radical and challenging ideas: from Thales’ claim that magnets have souls and Parmenides’ account that there is only one unchanging existent to the development of an atomist theory of the physical world. This general account of the Presocratics introduces the major Greek philosophical thinkers from the sixth to the middle of the fifth century BC. It explores how we might go about reconstructing their views and understanding the motivation and context for their work as well as highlighting the ongoing philosophical interest of their often surprising claims. Separate chapters are devoted to each of the major Presocratic thinkers, including Xenophanes, Heraclitus, Parmenides, Anaxagoras, Empedocles, Leucippus and Democritus, and an introductory chapter sets the scene by describing their intellectual world and the tradition through which their philosophy has been transmitted and interpreted. With a useful chronology and guide to further reading the book is an ideal introduction for the student and general reader.

Contents:

Introduction : reading Presocratic philosophy

Ionian beginnings

Xenophanes

The oracles of Heraclitus

Parmenides

Reactions to Parmenides

Anaxagoras

Empedocles

Democritus and Leucippus

Epilogue.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 02 Oct 2015).

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Description based on metadata supplied by the publisher and other sources.

ISBN:

1-317-49336-2

1-317-49337-0

1-315-71191-5

1-282-94339-1

9786612943393

1-84465-391-9

9781315711911

OCLC:

898104113