Ancient Concepts of Philosophy

by William Jordan

Overview

For Socrates, philosophy, was the study of how to lead one's life, and for Wittgenstein, `philosophy leaves everything as it is.' Throughout this book, the work of the ancients is set in the context of the most recent thinking about the nature and value of philosophy, and the author questions how much there is to be learnt from the ancient philosophers' differing conceptions of the ideal life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415089401
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	01/07/1993
Series:	Issues in Ancient Philosophy
Edition description:	Revised ed.
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION: PHILOSOPHY ANCIENT AND MODERN 1 THE PRESOCRATIC PHILOSOPHERS: THE FIRST PHILOSOPHICAL ARGUMENTS 2 SOCRATES: A METHOD OF DOUBT 3 PLATO: THE LIFE OF PHILOSOPHY 4 ARISTOTLE: PHILOSOPHY, METHOD, BEING AND THE GOOD LIFE 5 THE HELLENISTIC PHILOSOPHERS: PHILOSOPHY, NATURE AND THERAPY; CONCLUSION: THE NATURE OF PHILOSOPHY

Editorial Reviews

Jordan (philosophy, Oxford Univ.) traces the emergence of the idea, prominent in antiquity, that the philosopher leads a valuable and happy life, and argues that it is in this respect that ancient concepts of philosophy differ most significantly from those of philosophers today. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

`The freshest and most interesting aspect of the book is the plentiful reference to many contemporary philosophers ... who also deal with the issue discussed; thus the contemporary relevance of ancient philosophy is demonstrated.' Choice

From the Publisher