Philosophy Before Socrates: An Introduction with Texts and Commentary

by Richard D. McKirahan

Since its publication in 1994, Richard McKirahan's Philosophy Before Socrates has become the standard sourcebook in Presocratic philosophy. It provides a wide survey of Greek science, metaphysics, and moral and political philosophy, from their roots in myth to the philosophers and Sophists of the fifth century. A comprehensive selection of fragments and testimonia, translated by the author, is presented in the context of a thorough and accessible discussion. An introductory chapter deals with the sources of Presocratic and Sophistic texts and the special problems of interpretation they present. In its second edition, this work has been updated and expanded to reflect important new discoveries and the most recent scholarship. Changes and additions have been made throughout, the most significant of which are found in the chapters on the Pythagoreans, Parmenides, Zeno, Anaxagoras, and Empedocles, and the new chapter on Philolaus. The translations of some passages have been revised, as have some interpretations and discussions. A new Appendix provides translations of three Hippocratic writings and the Derveni papyrus.

Genres: Philosophy, History, Nonfiction, Greece, Classics, Reference, Ancient

436 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1994

Reviews

[Sanjay Prabhakar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I'm no expert, I'll just quickly compare this to The Presocratic Philosophers, which I read parallel to McKirahan, and which was apparently only recently superseded by the latter as the standard sourcebook for the Presocratics, though KRS continues to enjoy a canonical status in the literature.

What McKirahan has on KRS
- It's more up to date (2011 vs 1983); this was particularly obvious regarding Empedocles
- Generally, where interpretations differed, I found McKirahan's preferable (though again, I am no expert)
- The book continues into the Sophists and the nomos/phusis debate
- Extended translations of Hippocratic texts and fragments from the Derveni papyrus

What KRS has on McKirahan:
- The original Greek, which is occasionally useful even if that amounts to identifying particular words here and there, as it did for me
- Fuller discussion of the history of interpretations, the derivation of interpretations from the sources, and the reliability of the sources
- A long introductory chapter on pre-philosophical cosmogonies and cosmologies

[Dawid Łaziński · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very informative review of the pre-Socratic Greek philosophy. There’s no point in rating the book according to what one thinks about the philosophers themselves so I’ll refrain to gauging form rather than matter.

The book is expectedly organised so that each chapter tells the story of one of the exponents, nonetheless retaining a coherent narrative. The author doesn’t assume any prior understanding of the subject and the language is very accessible without being at all trivial or simplistic.

McKirahan clearly informs us that his goal is to acquaint the reader with the latest and prevailing interpretations of the recounted philosophers so you shouldn’t expect any heated scholarly debate nor fringe theories. I also liked the balance between the quotation and descriptive parts. You can easily grasp the gist of various ideas only turning to primary sources later on.

To sum up, a very comprehensive and approachable read, ideal first book on the matter.

Those interested in the subject should also consider “Early Greek Philosophy” by Penguin, still in my Want to Read list.

I also recommend the Philosophy Without Any Gaps podcast, a yet another accessible and modern approach to the subject.

[Daniel Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough and thoughtful

A well put together treaties on the PreSocratic Greek philosophers. Now that I have read this, I can go on reading Plato with a lot more understanding and insight.

[Éric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Certainement le meilleur livre d'introduction sur les philosophes archaïques (du nom de leur période qui précède celle de Socrate). Présentant souvent le "tournant de Socrate" sur les questions éthiques, on voit que cette réputation est surfaite. Les philosophes archaïques se posaient déjà bon nombre de questions. Dès le début, l'auteur cite déjà les sources, fiables ou non, de l'Antiquité. Également, il donne son avis sur certaines légendes entourant ces philosophes et également leur formation. De plus, il partage son opinion, qui est sujette à débat bien évidemment, sur l'interprétation des fragments que l'on a des auteurs.

Bref, un superbe ouvrage qui nous permet de se situer et de voir la pertinence de l'émergence de la philosophie dans la Grèce antique. Il ne manque pas de situer les causes et aussi l'impact de certains poètes, notamment Hésiode et sa théogonie (naissance des dieux).

[Nicolas Mignucci · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent introduction to the thought of various presocratic philosophers. Having no knowledge going in I wasn’t aware of how focused the book would be on disentangling the various (though often limited) sources to achieve a coherent interpretation of the philosophies of these thinkers. I found this exploration into the level of reliability of sources very interesting though sometimes frustrating from the perspective of just wanting to know what Zeno was talking about. Still it was an excellent book.

[Nathan Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent resource, and one that can be revisited and used as a reference book. His treatment of each fragment is even handed and introduces the central discourse of each philosopher. And he's an excellent footnoter; as a student, I say blessings on his head for this. Sources for days.

He puts most of the fragments at the beginning, but not all of them, and I do wish he had them all in one spot rather than scattered through his chapters.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fine commentary, but I'm becoming "that guy": no point in reading them in translation. No point in reading the Taco Bell menu in anything but the original Greek. Translate my Goodreads posts into Attic Greek... &c

[Joshua Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great review of the Pre-Socratic philosophers that provides enough depth to really understand the material.

[Andrew Roxby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent commentary and presentation of the major Presocratic philosophers with their key extant fragments.

[Sean R · Rating 5 out of 5]

McKirahan’s Philosophy before Socrates is the best book for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the presocratics, and is much more up-to-date when compared to Kirk and Raven’s book

[Shoshi · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I loved reading this book, it did raise one major question for me: how do we know the philosophers included in this text believed the fragments that have survived? Is it not possible that these snipets were included in a larger text as a foil for the philosophers' true opinion?

[laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

i tag this book dry in the sense of being seriously academic in tone, but also in the heraclitean sense! (right on heraclitus.) and if you don't know what that means, too bad. i slugged through it, and consequently i get to know some things you don't.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two universities. Two courses on the Presocratics. One I took as a student; one I am marker/grader for. Both courses used this as the principal text.

It's very informative. Begins with Hesiod. Ends with the Sophists. Essential for anybody interested in the history of philosophy.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of ancient Greek philosophy.

[Samson Blackwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughgoing compilation of western the thinkers who shaped our worldview prior to the great one.

[Brandie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was recommended by my husband. It's from an atheistic point of view, but it's still interesting. It's just reminding my that there is nothing new under the sun.

[Peter Poulos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read and understand. Gives you a great overview of the Presocratic's that makes you reflect on where the dawn of scientific thought begins. A good book overall... :)

[Jonathan]

None

[Jonathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Presocratics are boring. Do yourself a favor and start with Plato. Use this as a reference for when Plato or Aristotle drops a name.