Encyclopedia of Classical Philosophy / Edition 1

by Donald J. Zeyl

Overview

The Encyclopedia of Classical Philosophy is a reference work on the philosophy of Greek and Roman antiquity. It includes subjects and figures from the dawn of philosophy in Ionia in the 6th century BC to the demise of the Academy in Athens in the 6th century AD. Scholarly study of the texts and philosophical thought of this period has been, during the last half of the 20th century, amazingly productive and has become increasingly sophisticated. The 269 articles in the encyclopedia reflect this development.

While the majority of the articles are devoted to individual figures, many of the articles are thematic surveys of broad areas such as epistemology, ethics, and political thought. Some articles focus on particular concepts that evoked significant philosophical treatment by the ancients, and have proved central to later thought. Other articles treat fields that are no longer considered part of philosophy proper, such as mathematics and science. There are articles examining areas of intellectual or cultural endeavour, such as poetry or rhetoric, or genres of philosophical expression, such as dialogue and diatribe. Still others describe the historical developments of philosophical schools and traditions. The encyclopedia includes a chronology and guide to further reading.

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Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781884964947
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	08/26/2010
Pages:	632
Product dimensions:	6.25(w) x 9.25(h) x 1.38(d)

About the Author

DONALD J. ZEYL is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Rhode Island. He has published several articles on Socratic moral theory and is the translator of Plato's Gorgias and Timaeus. His teaching interests are in ancient philosophy and the philosophy of religion.

Table of Contents

Preface
Abbreviations
The Encyclopedia
A Chronological Outline of Classical Philosophy
A Guide to Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

"This intellectually excellent work . . . [is] destined without doubt or qualification to be a standard reference." - Choice

"This is a classically constructed book, and I greatly enjoyed dipping into it." - Douglas Brown, Reference Reviews

From the Publisher

This encyclopedia fills a void in philosophical reference works that has existed for too long, and it will likely become a standard in the field. At present no encyclopedia in print in English adequately surveys the philosophy of Greek and Roman antiquity, and editor Zeyl (philosophy, Univ. of Rhode Island) has taken great pains to ensure that the coverage of topics and individuals is complete, resulting in a very substantial work. The almost 300 articles contain not only historical accounts but also some indication of the state of present-day study in classical philosophy. The 93 contributors, drawn from three continents, are all scholars in the field. The random examination of two dozen articles indicates a very high quality of writing; topics and individuals are clearly and readably presented, and even a novice should come away with a much better understanding of subjects referenced. Libraries considering the purchase of this work should also buy F. E. Peters's Greek Philosophical Terms: A Historical Lexicon (first published in 1967 and still available in an inexpensive paperback edition), which makes an excellent companion. Recommended for all libraries with collections in classical philosophy.Terry C. Skeats, Bishop's Univ. Lib., Lennoxville, Quebec

Library Journal

Some 270 entries cover concepts and personalities from the dawn of philosophy in Ionia in the sixth century BCE to the decline of the Academy in Athens in the sixth century CE. Many of the articles are thematic, including sketches of ancient thought in epistemology, ethics, and political thought. Some focus on foundational concepts that are no longer considered part of philosophy, such as mathematics and medical science, or cultural or intellectual endeavors such as poetry or rhetoric. The majority of articles are devoted to major and minor individuals. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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