Presocratics

by Edward Hussey

The origins both of modern science and modern philosophy lie in Greek civilization of the 5th and 6th centuries B.C. It was then that a series of thinkers, usually known as "the Presocratic philosophers", created ways of looking at the world that were fundamentally new. In the middle of social and political changes, and exposed to intellectual influences from the Near East as well as to traditional Greek ideas, the first Presocratics, Thales and Anaximander of Miletus, had a vision of a universe governed by absolute and impartial law. In terms of this idea they and their successors tried to account for the observed structure of the physical world.

An increasing awareness of the philosophical problems invloved in this attempt led to the striking and enigmatic pronouncements of Heraclitus, and to the struggle to escape from self-contradiction in which Parmenides created the first philosophical arguments and the beginnings of conceptual analysis. By 450 B.C. the thought of these men was having repercussions in wider areas of Greek culture, and was an important factor in the great outburst of intellectual energy in the "sophistic age" - the last half of the 5th century.

This book presents a picture of these developments, using, wherever possible, translations of the surviving fragments of the Presocratics as a foundation for the discussion.

Genres: Philosophy, Classics, History, Nonfiction

168 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something between a survey and a detailed study, though closer to the former, this book made for some nice reading during a recent camping trip. It offers some tantalizing glimpses into not only the proto-science/philosophy of the Presocratics itself but also the ongoing debates (in 1972- though how much could change with this subject, really?) about just what it was that these guys were talking about. The best chapters were those discussing Heraclitus and Parmenides, most likely a reflection of how much in the way of fragments from their work exist. Whatever the case, both of these chapters were able to convey a subtlety of thought belonging to these thinkers that was not apparent in the summary treatments I've read by Copleston and Russell. And every chapter contained clear reminders of how non-obvious are the notions about reality taken for granted since Plato. Recommended for anyone with an interest in the history of thought.

[Connor Kosnik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting selection of what little reliable evidence exists of Presocratic thought. This book was very interesting at not only drawing out the important figures of Presocratic thought and their contributions but also contrasting their work, in order to establish the gaps in theoretical explanations that were left regarding subjects such as cosmogony, cosmology, and others. Much of the intellectual thought of this time, from what can be analyzed, arguably laid groundwork for significant developments within most scientific and philosophical fields during latter parts of human history. This book was a joy to read and helped expand my understanding of philosophy as a whole.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of a slog to read despite the small page count, largely due to the unfortunate fact that first-hand accounts of Pre-Socratic thought are lacking, and thus Hussey chooses mostly to speak only on what is certain, which is very little, and dry.
Ultimately interesting to read the progression of Western thought, but I don't feel as if I've come out of reading it with my knowledge greatly enhanced.

[Canavan · Rating 3 out of 5]

✭✭✭

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

read for *uni* for cl2003
very useful text for introductions to the cultural context of the presocratics (which obviously varies, but it's interesting to note how the emergence of philosophy in those city-states is probably to do with the advent of tyrannies and written law after centuries of unquestioned monarchical rule), and also to parmenides and xenophanes. quite sparse on empedocles, but hey, i forgive hussey - he's confusing as hell.

[Dvdlynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-rounded and clear overview of the subject. I found the chapter on Heraclitus to be particularly fine.

[John Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

For anyone interested in studying the Presocratics, I would recommend John Burnet's EARLY GREEK PHILOSOPHY and Frederick Copelston's A HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY: VOLUME I over Edward Hussey's book.