Hellenistic Philosophy: Stoics, Epicureans, Sceptics

Dějiny filosofie Oikoymenh #4

by Anthony A. Long

The purpose of this book is to trace the main development in Greek philosophy during the period which runs from the death of Alexander the Great in 323 B.C. to the end of the Roman Republic (31 B.C.).

Genres: Philosophy, History, Classics, Nonfiction, Essays, Reference

274 pages, Paperback

First published January 27, 1974

Reviews

[Julia]

Read this from the library but will definitely getting my own copy. Long provides a comprehensive overview on Hellenistic philosophy. I mainly read this for the chapter on Stoicism, but was surprised by how much I was intriuged by the Sceptic and Epicurean system. I made many notes and still have lot to think about but I am really glad I read this. Would recommend for anyone who is interested in Hellenistic philosophy and doesn't shy away from more formal writing.

[Illiterate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Careful philosophical reconstructions. Carneades seems to be a little known gem.

[AC · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best introduction to this topic (Stoics, Skeptics, and Epicureans) - fabulous book. Readable.

[Guida Al·lès · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filosofies hel·lenístiques= "sistemes armats per enfrontar-se a un món desconcertat". Una lectura deliciosa per les similituds amb les corrents de pensament actuals, on igual que llavors (quan s´enfonsava l´imperi romà), la gent té una percepció confusa del present i del futur.

[Raul Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un clásico de la materia. Indispensable, a la altura de un Coppleston

[Luis Alatorre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es una excelente introducción al estudio de tres principales corrientes filosóficas: Epicureísmo, Escepticismo y Estoicismo las cuales se desarrollan durante durante la Edad denominada helenística en Grecia la cual comprende desde la muerte de Alejandro Magno, en 323 a. de C., hasta el fin de la República romana (31 a. de C.).
Un excelente trabajo académico por parte de Anthony A. Long, justamente por esto cabe destacar que es un libro complicado por el lenguaje técnico que utiliza, si no estamos familiarizados con el estudio de la filosofía de manera sistematizada puede ser difícil de disfrutar mas esto no demerita en lo mas mínimo el libro.
Una de sus principales característica es como inserta en su contexto histórico los acontecimientos que examina, dando un marco de referencia sólido para la comprensión de los conceptos y el análisis posterior. La cantidad y calidad de bibliografía que incluye, así como el estilo coherente, práctico, y apasionado hace de este ejemplar un imperdible para la investigación de la filosofía helenística.

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A.A. Long's classic work on Hellenistic Philosophy is a great primer for anyone looking to do a deep diver into the thinkers of this period. At times a bit dated, but otherwise the writing is clear and detailed. Long covers the main thinkers, but also gets into some of the secondary figures as well.

[Don Putnam · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent overview of Hellenistic philosophy; however the books seems to be about Stoicism mainly, while showing how Skepticism and Epicureanism are contrasted to Stoicism.

my notes, comments and quotes from the book:
https://www.rockyrook.com/2020/09/not...

[Luc B. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't like it very much, maybe because I read it on ipad, maybe because most of what I've read was already known.
It is still a good book to have a good overview on hellenistic philosophies with a deeper zoom in Stoicism

[Andrew Tatusko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent primer if a bit dated. It's important to see how these three schools of thought are related to understand any one of them and this book gives you a coherent picture of that.

[Arthur]

Philosophy of Epicurus, in a nutshell:

-The universe is made up of a bunch of tiny little atoms
-These atoms are in a constant state of falling through space
-All of the atoms are falling at the same rate, never touching one another
-The exception to this rule occurs when, sometimes and without warning, one of these falling atoms swerves and crashes into another atom
-This is how atoms combine and build into the forms we see around us
-This swerving is also responsible for free will
-When we perceive things in the world, we do so directly via bundles of atoms which physically touch the atoms of our body
-The absence of pain is the greatest state of happiness there is, and the essence of Epicurus' concept of a good life
-All things pleasurable are good in and of themselves, and all things painful are likewise innately bad
-However, we may sometimes endure certain pains if they will lead to greater pleasures, or avoid certain pleasures if they will lead to greater pains
-Pleasure exists in two states: kinetic and static
-Kinetic pleasure exists when we are fulfilling a need--eating a meal to sate our hunger, for example
-Static pleasure is the state which comes after the kinetic pleasure has passed
-Kinetic pleasures should not be valued for their own sake, but as a means to reaching a state of static pleasure
-Humans do not necessarily have any 'natural' tendency towards communal life
-Laws exist solely as a way to ensure that we do not cause pain for others, and that they likewise do not cause pain to us
-Moral values are only good insofar as our noncompliance with them would cause pain, either via punishment or fear of punishment

* * * *

Skepticism being the school of thought which advocates suspension of judgement, which means accepting that we cannot know anything about the world for certain. This attitude was meant to combat dogmatic thinking, and was believed to lead to a peace of mind characterized by freedom from worry and contradictions. Early Skepticism was known as Pyrrhonism, named after the philosopher Pyrrho. Later forms of Skepticism are referred to as Academic Skepticism, and were practiced by members of the Academy.

[Ondřej]

Při vyslovení první slabiky zájmena egó (já) ukazuje dolní ret a brada k hrudníku. — Touto etymologií Chrysippos dokazoval, že srdce je centrem vědomí.

[Joseph · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have had a long time interest in Hellenistic Philosophy. I admire the Epicureans, the Stoics, and the Sceptics. Over the last few years, I have read several to learn more about them. I looked forward to reading A. A. Long's survey of Hellenistic Philosophy for some time. So, I was highly disappointed when I found it nearly unreadable.

I am sure that for someone with more technical knowledge of philosophy this book is an excellent overview of Hellenistic Philosophy. However, I don't have that technical knowledge. I was looking for a book written for the lay audience. Hellenistic Philosophy is not that book. So, unless you are ready for a slog through a dizzying array of technical topics on Hellenistic philosophy, find another book to read.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stoa teils kompliziert, aber super Buch. Ist quasi ein muss, wenn man sich mit dem Epikureismus, der Stoa usw. (sprich: Hellenistische Philosophie) beschäftigen möchte.
Es sind sehr viele Fragmente und Texte enthalten, von sowohl den alten Griechen (Epikur, Plutarch usw.) als auch späten römischen Philosophen (Cicero, Seneca, Lukrez usw.).

Die Kommentare sind ebenfalls sehr hilfreich.
4,5/5

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Diogenes Laertius provides for primary material with respect to the Hellenistic philosophers, Long provides in synthetic presentation. Excellent resource!