A History of Greek Philosophy, Volume 5: The Later Plato and the Academy

A History of Greek Philosophy #5

by W.K.C. Guthrie

All volumes of Professor Guthrie's great history of Greek philosophy have won their due acclaim. The most striking merits of Guthrie's work are his mastery of a tremendous range of ancient literature and modern scholarship, his fairness and balance of judgement and the lucidity and precision of his English prose. He has achieved clarity and comprehensiveness.

Genres: Philosophy, History, Nonfiction

556 pages, Paperback

First published April 27, 1978

About the author

William Keith Chambers Guthrie was a Scottish classical scholar, best known for his History of Greek Philosophy, published in six volumes between 1962 and his death.

Reviews

[Dan DalMonte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great rundown of Plato's later dialogues. I especially enjoyed the part on Timaeus in which Plato defends the idea that the universe is intelligently governed as opposed to governed by necessity or chance. I also enjoyed the discussion about Eudoxus and how he thought pleasure is the chief good. Plato, in Philebus, taught that the best life is the mixed life, involving both pleasure and reason.