A Tour de Force on Presocratic philosophers

This remarkable book is truly a tour de force when it comes to the study of Presocratic philosophers. It stands as a highly regarded reference in that particular era of philosophical history. For those individuals who have a keen interest in the history of philosophy, especially with regard to the Presocratic philosophers, this book is an absolute must-read.

However, be prepared for a rather intense experience. As you delve into its pages, you will encounter a storm of jargon that might seem overwhelming at first. Additionally, there is a significant amount of Greek terminology and concepts that you will need to grapple with. But if your passion for philosophy and curiosity about the Presocratic thinkers are strong enough, then you should definitely take on this reading challenge. It has the potential to provide you with profound insights and a deeper understanding of the roots of philosophical thought.

So, if you are ready to embark on this intellectual journey and immerse yourself in the world of Presocratic philosophy, pick up this book and let the exploration begin.

This is a fabulous work, I would even say fundamental, for getting to know the obscure, but extremely interesting, world of pre-Socratic philosophy.

Filled with original and translated quotations, it combines a very complete text, based on abundant bibliography, that not only provides an understanding of the history, but also points out the various relevant paths of research on each ancient philosopher.

The author has done an excellent job of presenting the complex ideas and theories of the pre-Socratic philosophers in a clear and accessible way.

Whether you are a student of philosophy or simply interested in learning more about this fascinating period in history, this book is a must-read.

It will expand your knowledge and understanding of the pre-Socratic philosophers and their contributions to the development of Western thought.

Overall, it is a highly recommended work that will surely leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads it.

The concept of a mindful universe is an intriguing one that has been explored by many scholars and thinkers.

In his work, Gleiser delves into the idea that the universe may possess a certain level of awareness or mindfulness.

This challenges our traditional view of the universe as a cold, mechanical entity and suggests that there may be a deeper, more profound connection between all things.

The idea of a mindful universe implies that consciousness is not just a product of our brains but may be an inherent property of the universe itself.

This opens up a whole new realm of possibilities for understanding the nature of reality and our place within it.

While the concept of a mindful universe is still a subject of debate and research, it offers a fascinating perspective that could potentially revolutionize our understanding of the cosmos.

Cited in Gleiser, Dawn of a Mindful Universe.

This book is highly scholarly, extremely thorough, and well-researched.

It provided me with a very good overview of the presocratic philosophers. However, it fell short in being inspirational, enlightening, or memorable.

It was definitely worth reading as it clearly demonstrated that the world we live in today is vastly different from that of the presocratics, and we must be cautious when assuming how much we truly understand them.

Nevertheless, in the end, I didn't gain all that much from it.

The chapter on Zeno was absolutely dreadful. If I hadn't already read about Zeno's paradoxes, I would have understood hardly anything from their presentation.

The section on Parmenides was also not very good. They could have done a lot more with their section on Heraclitus.

This naturally made me wonder about their presentations of other figures, like Anaxagoras, about whom I knew nothing.

Anyway, as impartial scholars, the authors were careful to minimize their own personal interpretations. Paradoxically, this material required personal interpretations to truly speak to the modern mind.

So, this book is more of a university textbook than a book for the general reader. It is good to the extent it goes, but for me, it did not go nearly far enough.

This book is truly a disgrace. Kirk, though a competent scholar, had a quite good book on Heraclitus, albeit with flaws. However, Raven was an idiot, and Schofield has here made an old book that was at least serviceable almost worthless. They are completely unreliable guides to what the Presocratics, both individually and collectively, are all about. Sorry to burst anyone's bubble.

Here's Kirk's book on Heraclitus: http://www.amazon.com/Heraclitus-Cosm...

Here's an example of the type of thing that J.E. Raven published: http://www.amazon.com/Pythagoreans-El...

In general, the Kirk half of K&R had more value than the Raven half, but old Schofield ruined both halves.

When it comes to the Presocratics, one must study Cherniss' book, Aristotle's Criticism of Presocratic Philosophy (which is quite difficult), and then study the relevant papers of William Arthur Heidel (Heidel, Selected Papers). And then read the specialized monographs on individual figures. Burnet's book, Early Greek Philosophy, is absolutely brilliant but completely wrong on almost everything. However, it is the sort of brilliance that makes it a book worth not just reading but studying. Guthrie's two volumes (I & II) in his History of Greek Philosophy dedicated to the Presocratics are useful as they summarize much bibliography and often state the status questionis of a problem in clear terms (and they are very readable). But Guthrie was himself a fool and missed a lot of what, after Cherniss and Heidel, should have been obvious.

One fabulous monograph that very few will have heard of is J.W. Beardslee's Physis (which was a dissertation done under the supervision of Paul Shorey): http://www.amazon.com/Physis-Fifth-Ce...

On Parmenides, one simply has to read, study, and understand Tarán's book. But that is very difficult if one doesn't have access to the Greek. So, if you're interested in Parmenides and don't know Greek, try Kant or somebody like that.

A composite work on philosophers who preceded Socrates has been created.

While it may not be nearly as engaging as Jonathan Barnes' wonderfully written book, it still offers a further account of the great minds in Ancient Greece.

This work delves into the thoughts and ideas of those who came before Socrates, providing valuable insights into the intellectual landscape of that time.

Although it may not have the same level of charm and readability as Barnes' work, it still has its own merits.

It can serve as a useful supplement for those who are interested in Ancient Greek philosophy and want to explore the thinkers who paved the way for Socrates and his successors.

Overall, this composite work is a worthy addition to the study of Ancient Greek philosophy, despite its limitations.

I started rereading Parmenides' take on metaphysics after a boozy night of argument at the local watering hole.

The question that lingered was: which is more valid, "the way of truth" or "the way of seeming"?

Kirk and Raven's book is by far the best out there for anything presocratic. They include the original Greek fragments as well as their translations for those whose ancient Greek has lapsed due to misuse.

As I was experiencing Parmenides again, there were hints and foreshadowing to Baudrillard's theories on simulacrum. It was fascinating to see the connections between these two thinkers from different eras.

Parmenides' exploration of truth and appearance seems to anticipate Baudrillard's ideas about the relationship between reality and simulation.

Perhaps Parmenides was onto something profound that Baudrillard would later expand upon.

This rereading has opened up new avenues of thought and made me eager to explore both Parmenides and Baudrillard further.

It's amazing how a simple night of argument at the local watering hole could lead to such a deep and thought-provoking exploration of philosophy.

A great anthology of Pre-socratic texts, with commentary.

This anthology serves as a remarkable collection of the profound works and ideas of the Pre-socratic philosophers. It presents a diverse range of texts that offer valuable insights into the early development of Western philosophy.

The commentary provided alongside the texts enhances the understanding of the often complex and abstract concepts. It helps the readers to navigate through the archaic language and cultural context in which these texts were written.

By studying this anthology, one can gain a deeper appreciation for the intellectual curiosity and innovative thinking of the Pre-socratic philosophers. Their ideas laid the foundation for many of the philosophical inquiries and debates that continue to this day.

Whether you are a student of philosophy, a scholar, or simply someone with an interest in the history of ideas, this anthology is an essential resource. It allows you to engage with the original texts and explore the rich tapestry of Pre-socratic thought.

Overall, this anthology of Pre-socratic texts with commentary is a must-have for anyone seeking to expand their knowledge and understanding of the roots of Western philosophy.

A great classic.

It is a journey starting from the moment when philosophy breaks away from religion and ritual in Greece, until the first rational cosmogonies and the first systems of thought and theory of man emerge.

The selection of texts is extensive and details the thinking of each philosopher.

This allows readers to have a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the development of philosophy during this period.

It not only showcases the brilliance of ancient Greek philosophy but also provides valuable insights into the evolution of human thought.

By exploring these texts, we can trace the footsteps of the great philosophers and gain a better appreciation of their contributions to the field of philosophy.

Overall, this is a remarkable work that offers a fascinating exploration of the history of philosophy.

This is an outstanding scholarly work that delves into the realm of the Presocratic philosophers.

It offers not only the Greek text but also the English text, along with detailed commentary and comprehensive introductory materials.

The writing, while not subpar, does tend to be a bit wordy, which is perhaps not entirely unexpected given the nature of the subject matter.

For anyone engaged in serious work related to the Presocratics, this book is an absolute must-have.

It is important to note that this book is identical to the one available at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2....

Overall, it provides a wealth of valuable information and insights into the thoughts and ideas of these ancient philosophers.

Whether you are a student, researcher, or simply someone with a keen interest in philosophy, this book is sure to prove beneficial.

It serves as a comprehensive and authoritative resource that can enhance your understanding of the Presocratic period.

Highly recommended for all those seeking to explore the rich and fascinating world of ancient philosophy.

I knew nearly nothing about the Pre-Socratic Philosophers.

So, when I started reading this book, I was truly amazed at how much I learned.

I had previously tried another book that also had fragments from or referenced the Pre-Socratic philosophers, but I found this one to be far superior.

However, I must admit that the organization of the book takes some getting used to.

If I had completely fallen in love with the Pre-Socratics, I probably would have given this book more stars.

But that really has very little to do with Kirk and the others who contributed to this work.

The content itself is rich and engaging, providing valuable insights into the minds and ideas of these ancient philosophers.

It has definitely broadened my understanding and appreciation of the Pre-Socratic period.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone interested in delving deeper into the history of philosophy and exploring the roots of Western thought.

Before Plato and Socrates, there were remarkable thinkers such as Pythagoras, Anaxagoras, and Diogenes, just to name a few.

The Greek mind was in a constant state of striving to understand the mysterious world that surrounded them. Their inquiries and musings were not only about the physical aspects of the world but also delved into the realm of philosophy, ethics, and human nature.

Pythagoras, for instance, was not only known for his contributions to mathematics but also for his philosophical ideas about the harmony of the universe. Anaxagoras proposed theories about the nature of matter and the role of the mind in the cosmos. Diogenes, with his eccentric lifestyle and radical ideas, challenged the norms and conventions of society.

A great study of these men reveals the depth and breadth of the Greek intellectual tradition. Their ideas have had a profound and lasting impact on Western thought and continue to inspire scholars and thinkers to this day.