The Beginnings of Philosophy in Greece

by Maria Michela Sassi, Michele Asuni (Translator)

An acclaimed study of the diverse origins of ancient Greek philosophy

In this acclaimed book, Maria Michela Sassi reconstructs the intellectual world of the early Greek "Presocratics" to provide a richer understanding of the roots of what used to be called "the Greek miracle." This unique study explores the full range of early Greek thinkers in the context of their worlds―from the Milesian natural thinkers, the rhapsode Xenophanes, and the mathematician and "shaman" Pythagoras, to the inspired Parmenides, the oracular Heraclitus, and the naturalist and seer Empedocles.

Genres: Philosophy, History, Nonfiction

232 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2009

Reviews

[Lucas Mattos · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very boring. Sassi is neither the best nor the most engaging writer. The binding strands connecting the contents of all five chapters are tenuous, and I found myself questioning the reason for the inclusion of much of the book’s contents. There were some interesting kernels throughout, though. Closer to a 5/10 than to a 4/10.

Read for PHIL 7303 (Ancient Greek Philosophy: The Greeks and Human Knowledge).

[Adriana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly written to say the least. Sassi’s brain is scattered, not to mention her poor analysis and arguments. She references Burkett multiple times yet fails to account his anthropological evidence against her claims. Sassi spent more time beating around the bush than actually making any compelling argument .

[Dean Chavooshian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only read if you have a burning interest in the more obscure preSocratic philosophers (e.g. Heraclitus, Anaximander, Pherecydes, Epimenides, Cenophanes, etc.). Remarkably detailed and scholarly, written almost like a lecture series. One can almost feel the author’s thought process.

[Mills College Library]

180 S2528 2018