Classical Philosophy: A Contemporary Introduction (Routledge Contemporary Introductions to Philosophy) PDF
Preview Classical Philosophy: A Contemporary Introduction (Routledge Contemporary Introductions to Philosophy)
Classical Philosophy “This is a fine introduction to ancient philosophy, consistently clear and carefully argued; interesting and generally attractive to read. I also enjoyed how the various views of the philosophers were successfully tied to overarching themes, such as the contrast between the manifest and the scientific image of the world.” Vasilis Politis, Trinity College, Dublin “I found the volume well organized and philosophically engaging. It doesn’t talk down to the reader, nor attempt to blind him/her with science (or philosophy), so it should be well suited for the intelligent non-expert.” Raphael Woolf, Harvard University The origins of Western philosophy can be found in sixth-century BC Greece. There it was that philosophy developed into a discipline that considered such fundamental questions as the nature of human existence, our place in the universe, and our attitudes towards an interactive politicized society. Every development in philosophy indeed stems from the thinkers of this enlightened time. Classical Philosophy is a comprehensive examination of early philosophy, from the Presocratics through to Aristotle. The aim of the book is to provide an explanation and analysis of the ideas that flourished at this time, and to consider their relevance, both to the historical development of philosophy and to contemporary philosophy today. From these ideas we can see the roots of arguments in metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and political philosophy. The book is arranged in four parts by thinker and covers • the Presocratics • Socrates • Plato • Aristotle Christopher Shields’ style is inviting, refreshing, and ideal for anyone coming to the subject for the first time. He provides a balanced account of the central topics and ideas that emerged from the period and includes helpful ideas for further reading. Christopher Shields is Professor of Philosophy and Classics at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He is the author of Order in Multiplicity: Homonymy in the Philosophy of Aristotle (1999), and editor of the Blackwell Guide to Ancient Philosophy (2002) Routledge Contemporary Introductions to Philosophy Series editor: Paul K.Moser Loyola University of Chicago This innovative, well-structured series is for students who have already done an introductory course in philosophy. Each book introduces a core general subject in contemporary philosophy and offers students an accessible but substantial transition from introductory to higher-level college work in that subject. The series is accessible to non- specialists and each book clearly motivates and expounds the problems and positions introduced. An orientating chapter briefly introduces its topic and reminds readers of any crucial material they need to have retained from a typical introductory course. Considerable attention is given to explaining the central philosophical problems of a subject and the main competing solutions and arguments for those solutions.The primary aim is to educate students in the main problems, positions and arguments of contemporary philosophy rather than to convince students of a single position. Classical Philosophy Christopher Shields Epistemology Second Edition Robert Audi Ethics Harry Gensler Metaphysics Second Edition Michael J.Loux Philosophy of Art Noël Carroll Philosophy of Language William G.Lycan Philosophy of Mind John Heil Philosophy of Religion Keith E.Yandell Philosophy of Science Alex Rosenberg Social and Political Philosophy John Christman Classical Philosophy A contemporary introduction Christopher Shields LONDON AND NEW YORK First published 2003 by Routledge 11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada by Routledge 29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001 Routledge is an imprint of the Toylor & Francis Group This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2005. “To purchase your own copy of this or any Taylor & Francis or Routledge's collection of thousands of e-Books please go to www.eBookstore.tandf.co.uk.” © 2003 Christopher Shields All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Shields, Christopher John. Classical Philosophy: a contemporary introduction/ Christopher Shields. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. I. Philosophy, Ancient. I.Title. B171.S52 2003 180–dc2l 2002037170 ISBN 0-203-46814-7 Master e-book ISBN ISBN 0-203-77638-0 Adobe e-Reader Format ISBN 0-415-23397-6 (hbk) ISBN 0-415-23398-4 (pbk) Dedicated with gratitude to Fred D.Miller, Jr Contents Preface x Acknowledgements xiii 1 Philosophy before Socrates 1 2 Socrates 29 3 Plato 53 4 Aristotle 98 Suggestions for further reading 136 Index 143
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