Kirk, Raven, and Schofield offer very useful notes in what is likely the best single English-language guide to the Presocratics.

This guide serves as an essential resource for those interested in delving into the works and ideas of the Presocratics. The detailed notes provided by the authors help to clarify and expand upon the often complex and晦涩的 texts of these ancient philosophers.

Readers can gain a deeper understanding of the Presocratics' philosophical inquiries, their unique perspectives on the nature of reality, and their contributions to the development of Western philosophy.

The guide's status as the best in the English language is well-deserved, as it combines comprehensive coverage with clear and accessible explanations. Whether you are a student, a scholar, or simply someone with a passion for philosophy, this guide is sure to provide valuable insights and enhance your appreciation of the Presocratics.

This is a truly remarkable book.

I have an intense passion for this genre, and this particular book has completely captivated my attention.

From the moment I opened its pages, I was drawn into a world filled with excitement, adventure, and unforgettable characters.

The author's writing style is engaging and descriptive, allowing me to vividly imagine every scene and emotion.

Each chapter builds upon the last, keeping me on the edge of my seat and eager to discover what comes next.

Whether it's the thrilling plot twists or the heartwarming moments of character development, this book has it all.

It has truly become one of my favorites, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who shares my love for this genre.

Without a doubt, it is a must-read for all book enthusiasts.

All of ancient Greek secular philosophy, gathered in one book.

There are many extracts in ancient Greek and translated.

This book serves as a comprehensive compilation of the rich and diverse philosophical thoughts that emerged in ancient Greece.

It allows readers to explore the profound ideas of the great philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.

The inclusion of both the original ancient Greek texts and their translations makes it accessible to a wider audience.

Whether you are a scholar interested in in-depth research or a general reader curious about the history of philosophy, this book offers a valuable resource.

It provides a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the intellectual heritage of ancient Greece and gain a deeper understanding of the roots of Western philosophy.

The Western tradition of Philosophy has its roots in wonder. It all starts with the Presocratic philosophers of nature. These were the first to pose profound questions.

They asked: What are all existing things made of? Is it one or many elemental substances? Does nothingness or the void exist? Is reality constantly changing, or are there unchanging and eternal aspects?

Kirk and Raven's Presocratic Philosophers is the ultimate introduction to this era. It contains the remaining fragments of Thales, the Milesians, Empedocles, Parmenides, Heraclitus, Zeno, and the Atomists.

Thales, observing that all living things need water to survive, believed water was the primary substance. Empedocles named the four elements - fire, air, water, and earth - and introduced the forces of Love and Hate. Parmenides and Heraclitus debated whether the underlying substrate was One or Many, creating the "problem of the one and the many." Zeno offered mathematical puzzles and thought experiments to support Parmenidean One. The Atomists proposed that even the elements were made up of invisible, indivisible, moving particles called atoms, an idea still relevant in science today.

This volume is essential for students of Ancient Greek Philosophy. It includes the original Ancient Attic Greek text and a translation, along with commentary to help readers understand and appreciate these early natural philosophers.

Readers interested in the History of Western Science, Ontology, and Epistemology will find fascinating ideas here that can be traced to Aristotle's Physics and Metaphysics.

Read this and reviews of other classics in Western Philosophy on the History page of www.BestPhilosophyBooks.org (a thinkPhilosophy Production).

My first serious introduction to the study of Philosophy was truly enlightening.

I especially like the way the Greek excerpts are properly individualized and followed by the translation. This greatly facilitates the understanding and analysis by the lay reader.

Before the proper pre-Socratic philosophers, there is an initial chapter about the first semi-rational cosmogonies. These cosmogonies gave rise to the truly philosophical thought that we already find among the Milesians in the 6th century B.C.

This approach helps to build a solid foundation for understanding the development of philosophical ideas. It allows us to trace the evolution from the early attempts at explaining the world to the more sophisticated and rational inquiries of the pre-Socratic philosophers.

Overall, this introduction to Philosophy has been a fascinating journey, and I look forward to delving deeper into this rich and profound subject.

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

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

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

Nevertheless, this work is an absolute must for anyone engaged in serious research or study related to the Presocratics.

It provides a wealth of information and insights that can enhance one's understanding of this important period in the history of philosophy.

Whether you are a student, a scholar, or simply someone with a keen interest in philosophy, this work is sure to be a valuable addition to your library.

It offers a unique perspective on the Presocratic philosophers and their ideas, and is well worth exploring in depth.

Apart from a tortuously interminable introduction which traces, in excruciating detail, the pre-philosophical beliefs that led to the emergence of more rational thinking among the ancient Greeks, this scholarly and (thus) exceedingly dry work offers valuable insights into the foundations of Western thought.

It is in the fundamental, largely implicit (i.e., myopic) dualism of ancient Greek thought that we discover the seeds of every ill that Western European minds would inflict, and continue to inflict, upon the world. This doesn't mean that no good has come from Western philosophy. Just as the Greeks divided the universe into two diametric halves, so do the fruits of their labors: science has given us both antibiotics and nuclear warfare, both the Internet and climate change.

Nor is the line between so-called Western and Eastern thought necessarily as clear as we sometimes believe. Indeed, the influence of the East is acknowledged in this volume, both by the editors and in their sources. But it's evident that Western thought is pervaded by a dualism that Eastern thought more carefully avoids.

In short, the early Greeks were determined to break the world around us into constituent units that could then, presumably, be used to explain all the phenomena that the world presents to us. In this sense, the early rational thinkers were simply taking their mythologizing predecessors to the next level. What emerges from the frankly tedious introductory material of this book is a clear picture of a people who were determined to understand the universe as a clockwork, presumably with the goal (whether conscious or not) of gaining some control over a mercurial world.

Why this matters is that when we start to break the world down into components that are separate from us and from one another, we open the door to many evils. (Nor is this to say that Eastern thought is a utopian solution in this regard; but that's a separate issue for another day.) In the simplest case, if you and I are distinct and separate entities, unconnected in any fundamental way, one logical step is for me to objectify you. Before long, your personhood means little or nothing to me, and I can easily justify oppressing you, dehumanizing you, even enslaving you.

As for this volume itself, as a book to be read, its scholarly approach is predictably dry and redundant. There is a lack of simple paraphrase and practical examples, both of which would have greatly improved readability. However, the scholarship here is undoubtedly scrupulous, and once you get past the mind-numbing introductory material, the main body of the text is clear enough, if somewhat arid and colorless. It is certainly a good overview of Western philosophical thought before Socrates and his contemporaries took over.

This is the finest compilation of Presocratic philosophy. It is presented in a proper sequence, moving through the works and authors (whenever they are known). This collection truly showcases the evolution of philosophy, leading up to the point where most of us begin to explore this fascinating subject.

The Presocratic philosophers were the先驱 of Western philosophy, and their ideas laid the foundation for the development of later philosophical thought. By studying their works, we can gain a deeper understanding of the origins and development of philosophy.

This collection not only includes the most important works of the Presocratic philosophers but also provides valuable insights into their historical and cultural context. It is an essential resource for anyone interested in the history of philosophy or the development of human thought.

Whether you are a student, a scholar, or simply someone who is curious about the nature of philosophy, this collection is sure to provide you with a wealth of knowledge and inspiration.

The original article is not provided, so I can't rewrite and expand it specifically. However, I can give you a general example to show you how to do it.

Let's assume the original article is: "The cat is cute. It has soft fur and big eyes."

Here is the rewritten and expanded version:

The cat is so lovely.

It has the most charming appearance. Its fur is extremely soft, like a piece of fine silk. When you touch it, you can feel the smoothness and warmth. And its big eyes are like two shining stars, full of curiosity and innocence. They seem to be able to communicate with you, expressing its various emotions. Whether it is sitting quietly or running around playfully, the cat always exudes a unique charm that makes people can't help but fall in love with it at first sight.

You can provide the original article, and I will help you rewrite and expand it according to your requirements.

In the annals of history, there are those mysterious thinkers of old who have left an indelible mark on our intellectual and cultural heritage.

These individuals, often operating in the shadows of time, possessed a depth of wisdom and a unique perspective that challenged the norms of their respective eras.

From the ancient philosophers of Greece, such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, to the great minds of the East, like Confucius and Lao Tzu, their ideas have endured and continue to influence our understanding of the world today.

Despite the passage of centuries, their teachings on ethics, morality, politics, and the nature of reality remain relevant and thought-provoking.

Studying these mysterious thinkers is not only a fascinating journey into the past but also a means of gaining valuable insights into the human condition and our place in the universe.

It allows us to step back from the chaos and complexity of the modern world and consider the fundamental questions that have occupied the minds of humanity since time immemorial.

In this way, we can begin to appreciate the true significance of these ancient sages and their lasting contributions to our collective knowledge and understanding.

The Presocratic Philosophers by Jonathan Barnes is a comprehensive and extensive book. It delves deep into the beliefs and contributions of the Pre-Socratic philosophers. These were a group of early Greek thinkers who lived prior to Socrates and made profound contributions to the growth of philosophy. They were highly interested in comprehending the nature of the world and the universe. They employed observation, reason, and intuition to formulate their theories.

One of the central themes of the book is the assertion that the Pre-Socratic philosophers were focused on understanding the nature of the world and the universe. They believed that there was a fundamental substance or principle underlying all of reality. Different philosophers had different views on what this substance was. Thales thought it was water, Anaximenes believed it was air, Heraclitus proposed that everything was in a state of constant flux and change, and Parmenides argued that the universe was eternal and unchanging.

Barnes emphasizes the importance of reason and logic in Pre-Socratic philosophy. He states that reason is the tool of philosophy, and the Presocratics were the first to use it systematically in the pursuit of understanding the world. Another significant aspect was the emphasis on reason and evidence rather than blind faith, as seen in Xenophanes' arguments. Zeno of Elea developed paradoxes to challenge our understanding of reality and the limits of human reason.

The book also highlights the diversity of ideas among the Pre-Socratic philosophers. There was no one unified school or doctrine, and they often held opposing views on key issues. Pythagoras, perhaps the most famous of them, was known for his work on mathematics and geometry, believing that the universe was fundamentally mathematical.

Overall, the Pre-Socratic philosophers made crucial contributions to the development of philosophy and science, and their ideas still impact our understanding of the world today. As Bertrand Russell noted, they were the first to use their reason to uncover the structure of the world. Barnes himself writes that they were the first to take the initial steps on a long journey that would ultimately lead to the development of modern science and philosophy. The Presocratic Philosophers is indeed an intriguing exploration of the beliefs and contributions of these early Greek thinkers.

A truly excellent book that provides an introduction to the Presocratic philosophers through a reading of the existing fragments of the works of different thinkers. Each section is dedicated to a particular philosopher and begins with a small introduction, which is then followed by the various fragments organized by themes. This way of ordering is quite advantageous in some cases as it gives a structure to the fragments. For some thinkers, this is very useful due to the limited amount of existing material and its scattered nature.

The only possible criticism is that in some way this structuring and, in the case of some thinkers, the very selection of fragments can make the interpretation too guided and rigid. However, the authors are careful to include comments on different interpretations from those presented by them.

Beyond this, I find that this book serves an essential function for the general study of Presocratic philosophy and I have not seen another book that does a better job for this purpose.