Retrieving the Ancients: An Introduction to Greek Philosophy

by David Roochnik

Retrieving the Ancients tells the story of the first philosophers in the West.

Genres: Philosophy, History, Nonfiction

248 pages, Paperback

First published June 18, 2004

About the author

David Roochnik is Professor of Philosophy and Maria Stata Professor of Classical Greek Sudies at Boston University. Prior to that he was Associate Professor of Philosophy and Classical Studies at the Iowa State University, and during the 1992/93 year Visiting Associate Professor at Williams College.

He joined Boston University in the fall of 1995. In 1996, he was awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award by the Undergraduate Philosophy Club. In 1997, Dr. Roochnik was awarded both the Gitner Award for Distinguished Teaching at the College of Arts and Sciences and the Outstanding Teaching Award by the Honors Program in the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Roochnik is also winner of Boston University’s 1999 Metcalf Award for Excellence in Teaching. Recipients of this award are chosen after a university-wide competition and assessment. Most recently Dr. Roochnik won the John Donovan Best Paper Award, New England Political Science Association. May, 2004 (for a paper given in May, 2003: “Plato’s Defense Of Diversity.”)

Dr. Roochnik is the author of thirty-five articles on Greek philosophy, Greek literature, rhetoric ancient and modern, post-modernism, and the nature of philosophy. He is the recipient of grants and fellowships from the NEH and the Earhart Foundation. He was also invited to give the inaugeral lecture of the Ancient Philosophy Society in Eugene, Oregon, October 7, 1999.

Reviews

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic introduction to ancient Greek philosophy. It is surprisingly in-depth for its length (278 pages), avoids jargon, and is never overly technical. Roochnik’s writing is clear and concise, he keeps the exposition grounded and readable throughout.

Roochnik makes Aristotle the hero of the story. Roochnik sees Aristotle as bringing together positive elements from the pre-Socratics and Plato to craft a philosophical approach that provides a moderate approach that can a ground a life-well lived in an understandable world. To tell this story, Roochnik starts with the Pre-Socratics and how these first Greek philosophers start asking new kinds of questions and providing new kinds of answers. He then turns to Plato and the Socratic shift to a focus on human excellence and the Socratic question of “What is it?” He then closes with Aristotle, showing how he brings these threads to an apotheosis. Roochnik acknowledges that a lot of Aristotle’s approach won’t or can’t work in a modern context but pleads his case that studying Aristotle and his predecessors is something essential for a modern person to better understand themselves and their place.

There is an epilogue that briefly discusses various Hellenistic or Post-Aristotelian thinkers, covering quickly the Stoics, Cynics, and Epicureans.

Highly recommend for anyone interested in philosophy, particularly the ancients.

[Scott Kennon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm giving this three stars even though honestly I was thoroughly disappointed. The supposed "hero" of Roochnik's Retrieving the Ancients, Aristotle, I feel was done an injustice. The first 3 quarters of this book, which focus on the presocratics on up through Plato are interesting, at times even comical, but Roochnik himself even seems to lose interest in the philosophy of Aristotle. Aristotle was known for his heavy emphasis on science and the natural world, but Roochnik spends only a few short sections on this aspect of Aristotelean logic. On page 205, in the midst of his discussion of Aristotle, Roochnik claims that most people do not understand why dishes need to be washed rather than left out on a table after becoming dirty. The focus of Aristotelean philosophy in this book it seems is only on answers to the questions and problems posed by earlier philosophers, with little regard for the breadth of Aristotle's work on metaphysics, physics, zoology, biology, and what would become the foundation for the human understanding of the natural world.

[Andy Oram · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be excellent on many levels. It explained complex concepts such as "being" and "virtue" better than many texts on philosophy I have read (or tried unsuccessfuly to read), although I encountered a bit of rough sailings in parts of the chapter on Aristotle. Roochnik reveals insights in a casual style that I found easy to read.

But his achievement is much bigger than conveying central concepts in ancient Greek philosophy: He also discusses the difficulties in retrieving ideas from fragments or unreliable texts, and how researchers and students have debated what those texts mean. The book is an impressive introduction to how philosophy is researched, as well as to the ideas in philosophy.

Rest assured, Roochnik presents the famous and fundamental discussions of Plato and Aristotle (the philosopher king, the allegory of the cave, Aristotle's primary cause, etc.), within a strong, forward-moving framework of trying to understand how different philosophers have sought truth. He modestly applies some of the philosophers' conclusions to modern life.

[Jeff Lacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sound intellectual and foundational introduction of the philosophy of the Pre-Socratics, Plato’s Dialogues, and Aristotle. This is challenging reading, not for the pedestrian who desires a quick and easy “Greek Philosophy For Dummies.” I would recommend this book for one who has read and is familiar with the works of at least some of the philosophers addressed in this book. Also of interest is Dr Roochnik’s lectures on the subject in the Great Courses series.

[James Keogh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Ancient Philosophy Book! It easy to read, not complicated. Check it out if your interested.

[Oneirae]

Combing several philosophy books together to keep topics together. On hold until I get back to this area.

[aulianrsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

oh can't believe after reading this and go back to Sophie's world everything easy to understand now

[Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful introduction to Plato, Aristotle, and those who came before them. The author is careful to defend the relevance of his topic by connecting the ancients' views to more recent figures, as well as explaining the practical value of philosophy. It turns out that many modern world views are often just enhanced versions of ancient Greek philosophy. Reading this book will help a person become more self-aware about their beliefs and values, and hopefully better explain the ideas of their opponents.

[Marcus · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introductory work into Ancient Greek philosophy. Well cited, explained, and simplified. It allows a philosophy curious person an opportunity to seriously learn about the field while not being overwhelmed by it. The author writes from a biased perspective - that Aristotle is the paradigm of Greek Philosophy. The author knows of this bias and uniquely uses it to inspire the reader to think for themselves by both learning and skeptically analyzing the work. A challenging feat for any author, one that David Roochnik accomplishes impressively.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not always the most in depth or nuanced, but pretty painless and enjoyable to read