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The Hellenistic Philosophers: Volume 1, Translations of the Principal Sources with Philosophical Commentary
Volume 1 presents the texts in new translations by the authors, and these are accompanied by a philosophical and historical commentary designed for use by all readers, including those with no background in the classical world. With its glossary and indexes, this volume can stand alone as an independent tool of study.
772 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 200
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 17, 2021
Very handy collection of almost all the surviving texts and fragments we have of the Hellenistic philosophers. Well structured and easy to search through. Primarily contains the work of the Pyrrhonists, Epicureans, Stoics and Sceptics. Great all in one book.
March 23, 2015
Two gems of wisdom from my new favorite, Seneca:
"Virtue is nothing other than the mind disposed in a certain way."
"[M]an was born for dying...his body is not a home but a guest-house--and a brief one at that, since it must be vacated when you see that you are a burden to your host."
"Virtue is nothing other than the mind disposed in a certain way."
"[M]an was born for dying...his body is not a home but a guest-house--and a brief one at that, since it must be vacated when you see that you are a burden to your host."
December 30, 2021
Likely the best one volume collection of selections around and from Hellenistic philosophers. While I commend this volume for its quality, personally I dislike both Hellenistic philosophy in general and selections as a means to do philosophy.
Hellenistic philosophy doesn't really scratch my philosophy itch, as it is both reductive when compared to the vast array of thought in Plato and Aristotle's philosophy (instead the Hellenistic philosophers centrally focus on metaphysics and ethics) and the methods that are used to convey their positions can seem tenuous. I do not hate Hellenistic philosophy, nor those who enjoy it, it just does not appeal to me.
Also the use of selections/fragments to convey philosophy can leave these philosophers, who had intricate, interconnected philosophies, with rather patchy systems which are open to interpretation. The same is true for the Presocratics. If you have read Heraclitus' fragments in many places you may have the interpretation that he only cares about flux (change), though in The First Philosophers: The Presocratics and Sophists the fragments are ordered differently, which allows a reader to interpret that Heraclitus recognises both flux and continuity.
This isn't to say that someone can interpret the Hellenistic philosophers in a similar, almost opposing way, though it does allow an openness to interpretation which (albeit fun to discuss) can be frustrating when trying to identify an authoritative interpretation.
As a whole, I'd recommend the text for anyone interested in Hellenistic philosophy, and it is a nice one volume collection, though you should refer to other sources if you want a more enriching idea of Hellenistic philosophy.
Hellenistic philosophy doesn't really scratch my philosophy itch, as it is both reductive when compared to the vast array of thought in Plato and Aristotle's philosophy (instead the Hellenistic philosophers centrally focus on metaphysics and ethics) and the methods that are used to convey their positions can seem tenuous. I do not hate Hellenistic philosophy, nor those who enjoy it, it just does not appeal to me.
Also the use of selections/fragments to convey philosophy can leave these philosophers, who had intricate, interconnected philosophies, with rather patchy systems which are open to interpretation. The same is true for the Presocratics. If you have read Heraclitus' fragments in many places you may have the interpretation that he only cares about flux (change), though in The First Philosophers: The Presocratics and Sophists the fragments are ordered differently, which allows a reader to interpret that Heraclitus recognises both flux and continuity.
This isn't to say that someone can interpret the Hellenistic philosophers in a similar, almost opposing way, though it does allow an openness to interpretation which (albeit fun to discuss) can be frustrating when trying to identify an authoritative interpretation.
As a whole, I'd recommend the text for anyone interested in Hellenistic philosophy, and it is a nice one volume collection, though you should refer to other sources if you want a more enriching idea of Hellenistic philosophy.
October 1, 2011
A must for people who are into Hellenistic philosophy.
May 1, 2019
Tony Long is the master of the Hellenes. Love that guy.
April 13, 2021
Two volume set with the second volume being the text in Greek and Latin.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews