The Philosophers of Greece

by Robert Sherrick Brumbaugh

Book by Robert S. Brumbaugh

Genres: Philosophy

274 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[Joshua Laferriere · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this book from a fan fiction post about Socrates. This was an early early work on Philosophy. I was disasppointed with the level of work provided by Yale on such a text (citations were sloppily done), but I did find it adequate for what it was. I read it side by side along with Zeyl's Encyclopedia of Philosophy of which I felt did a better treatment per Philosopher. But it was Brumbraugh that said Socrates was a Hindu Guru which lead me to Thomas McEvilley, so I will thank him for that, as well as reaching out to Dr. Paul Lee (author of the fan fiction) who recommended my Jaegar. From what I've read, Guthrie is the go to for an introductory treatment.

[Matteo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brumbaugh's introduction to ancient Greek philosophy was a fascinating and engaging read. His discussions on the schisms between competing philosophical traditions and his contextualisation of developments in early Western philosophy render the book memorable and entertaining for someone, like myself, who had enjoyed very little exposure to the subject beforehand.

I only wished that the book would discuss at greater length the progress of Ancient Greek philosophy after Aristotle and the impacts of the epoch's most authoritative philosophers on immediate Greek society, not merely later Western thought. Furthermore, at times, the book seemed neither to discuss nor mention important developments in political philosophy and ethics that arose from the period which, indeed, came from the philosophers that Brumbaugh discusses; simulatenously, on occasion the book digresses to relative unimportant matters, such as Anaximander's theory of evolution. Nevertheless, the book is an entertaining and highly-recommended read for newcomers to the field.