Description
Book Synopsis: Aristotle said that philosophy begins with wonder, and the first Western philosophers developed theories of the world which express simultaneously their sense of wonder and their intuition that the world should be comprehensible. But their enterprise was by no means limited to this proto-scientific task. Through, for instance, Heraclitus' enigmatic sayings, the poetry of Parmenides and Empedocles, and Zeno's paradoxes, the Western world was introduced to metaphysics, rationalist theology, ethics, and logic, by thinkers who often seem to be mystics or shamans as much as philosophers or scientists in the modern mould. And out of the Sophists' reflections on human beings and their place in the world arose and interest in language, and in political, moral, and social philosophy. This volume contains a translation of all the most important fragments of the Presocratics and Sophists, and of the most informative testimonia from ancient sources, supplemented by lucid commentary.
About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
Details
Discover the origins of Western philosophy and dive into the fascinating world of the first thinkers with The First Philosophers: The Presocratics and Sophists. Aristotle once said that philosophy begins with wonder, and this book takes you on a journey to explore the theories and reflections of these ancient philosophers.
Uncover the enigmatic sayings of Heraclitus, the poetic wisdom of Parmenides and Empedocles, and the mind-bending paradoxes of Zeno. These thinkers dared to question the nature of reality and explored topics ranging from metaphysics and rationalist theology to ethics and logic.
But it doesn't end there. The Sophists, often seen as both mystics and philosophers, delved into language, politics, morality, and social philosophy. Gain insights into the human condition and our place in the world through their reflections.
This volume features a comprehensive translation of the most important fragments of the Presocratics and Sophists, along with informative testimonia from ancient sources. Dive deep into their ideas with the help of lucid commentary that provides valuable insights and context.
As part of the esteemed Oxford World's Classics series, this book reflects a century-long commitment to scholarship. Immerse yourself in the most accurate text, expert introductions, voluminous notes, up-to-date bibliographies, and more.
Expand your horizons, explore the wonders of ancient philosophy, and enhance your understanding of the world we live in with The First Philosophers: The Presocratics and Sophists. Order your copy today and embark on a journey of intellectual discovery.
Order now and join the ranks of thinkers who shaped the course of Western philosophy.
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