Presocratic Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction by catherine osborne

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Presocratic philosophy is a crucial and fascinating area of study. It serves as the wellspring from which all subsequent Western philosophy has emerged.

Despite the fact that only a small portion of what the Presocratic philosophers wrote has survived, their ideas have had a profound and lasting impact.

In this book, "Presocratic philosophy: a very short introduction" by Catherine Osborne, the author invites readers to explore the remaining fragments of their works, from Thales to Pythagoras, from Heraclitus to Protagoras.

The book showcases the birth of Western philosophy and introduces the first thinkers who delved into the mysteries of nature, reality, time, and the origin of the universe.

Some of the most famous Presocratic philosophers include Thales, Pythagoras, Heraclitus, Parmenides, Democritus, and Protagoras, who were associated with the schools of Milesian, Pythagorean, Ephesian, Eleatic, Atomist, and Sophist, respectively.

By studying their ideas, we can gain a deeper understanding of the roots of our own philosophical traditions and the ways in which these early thinkers shaped the course of Western thought.

Whether you are a philosophy student or simply interested in the history of ideas, this book offers a concise and engaging introduction to the world of Presocratic philosophy.

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KingAce261

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Organization was not the best.

I guess Osborne wanted to deviate from a historical timeline and focus on the ideas. Sounded good in theory, but it came out disconnected and awkward.

She should have kept to the historical timeline and then connected the ideas, as is usually done when dealing with the Presocratics.

For example, by presenting the historical context first, readers could have a better understanding of the background in which these ideas emerged.

Then, Osborne could have smoothly transitioned to discussing the ideas themselves and their significance.

This would have made the book more coherent and easier to follow.

Overall, three stars because it does fill a niche, but could have been better organized.

It had the potential to be a great resource for those interested in the Presocratics, but the lack of proper organization somewhat diminished its value.

With a few adjustments, it could have been a more engaging and informative read.

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sam312

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Read for *uni*.

As I've mentioned previously, philosophy isn't truly my forte - particularly this sort of philosophy that isn't strictly moralistic but rather more mathematical and based on origins. However, this was an extremely useful little guide to the Presocratics for my Greek archaic poetry module. I especially adored the description of Empedocles' daimones and how they introduced the concepts of moral philosophy into the physical philosophy he was previously preoccupied with. I also liked Gorgias' defence of Helen. Although, I was a bit disappointed to hear that Osborne believes it might all be a parody of views Gorgias doesn't entirely concur with!

Also, it is a peculiarly emotional experience to listen to Achilles Come Down by Gang of Youths when reading this. I'm not entirely certain why - it simply showed up on my playlist - but I had to take a moment. It made me reflect on the various themes and ideas presented in the text and how they interacted with the emotions evoked by the music. It was a strange yet captivating combination that enhanced my overall reading experience.

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Enkapse

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I think most people's knowledge of Presocratic Philosophers, mine included before I read this book, was extremely limited. It was often confined to just Pythagoras and the rather absurd paradoxes of Zeno, with the well-known example of Achilles and the tortoise being the only things that came to mind.

However, this Very Short Introduction to Presocratic Philosophy has truly broadened my understanding of the world of Greek philosophy. It begins with Thales of Miletus from the 7th/6th Century BC and progresses through Heraclitus and Democritus, all the way to Protagoras and the other Sophists who lived just before the time of Socrates in the 5th Century BC.

Even though the philosophers of this era wrote down very little and only a fraction of what was written actually survived, the sparse snippets of their words reveal a profound and keen interest in the nature of reality, time, and space. These remarkable thinkers were the ones who set Western philosophy on the path it is still following today.

Empedocles, a native of Akragas, a Greek city in Sicily (now called Agrigento) between 492 and 432 BC, is best known for originating the cosmogonic theory of the four classical elements. His ideas added another layer to the evolving understanding of the universe.

Heraclitus, with his famous statement "Into the same rivers we step in and we don't step in, we are and we are not", presents a thought-provoking concept. The idea that we can't step into the same river twice might be related to the fact that the river is constantly in motion, so the water we step into is never the same. But is the river just a body of moving water? If so, when we step in again in the same place, it is into something different from before. Or is the river something that persists even though the water changes? Heraclitus's words prompt us to wonder and question.

Anaxagoras (500 - 428BC) and Democritus (460 - 370BC) both proposed that reality was hidden because it involved components too small for us to perceive. Democritus named these components atoms, meaning uncuttable, and believed that we could explain the behavior of ordinary things by the movement of these atoms. The most original aspect of Anaxagoras’s system was his doctrine of nous (“mind” or “reason”). He believed that the cosmos was formed by mind in two stages: first, through a revolving and mixing process that still continues, and second, by the development of living things.

Protagoras was famous for his saying: "Man is the measure of all things: of things which are, that they are so, and of things which are not, that they are not." Here, "man" refers to human beings in general, not specifically males. He likely meant that we humans are the standard for determining what is real and what is not. In other words, the world is as we perceive and interpret it.

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Devil17

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

**"What I'm Doing with My Life pt. 2"**

In this continuation of "What I'm Doing with My Life," I find myself reflecting on the path I've chosen.

Every day presents new opportunities and challenges. I am constantly striving to learn and grow, both personally and professionally.

I've been taking on new projects at work, eager to prove myself and expand my skills. It's not always easy, but the sense of accomplishment when I succeed is无比 rewarding.

Outside of work, I'm also making an effort to focus on my health and well-being. I've started going to the gym regularly and eating a more balanced diet.

I believe that taking care of myself is essential in order to be able to give my best in all aspects of my life.

Overall, I'm feeling positive about the direction my life is headed. I know there will be more obstacles to overcome, but I'm ready to face them head-on and continue on this journey of self-discovery and growth.

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millerha

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

'A Short Introduction' is not supposed to convey the meaning of being written hastily or without due thought and effort. Regrettably, this particular short introduction gives precisely that impression - it seems like a rushed side project.

It was truly a disappointing and underwhelming piece to read. One can't help but feel a sense of pity.

The lack of depth and substance is quite evident. It fails to engage the reader on a meaningful level and leaves much to be desired.

Perhaps more time and care should have been invested in its creation to make it a more worthwhile and engaging introduction.

As it stands, it serves as a reminder of the importance of putting in the necessary effort when writing, even for something as seemingly simple as a short introduction.

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Kahirama

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Solid for what it is.

I truly liked the opposition to the 'traditional story'. It presented a fresh perspective that challenged the commonly accepted narrative.

The arguments about 1950s support for Sophism were also quite interesting. They shed light on a lesser-known aspect of that era and added depth to the overall discussion.

By exploring these ideas, we are able to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

It makes us question the assumptions we have held and encourages us to look at things from different angles.

Overall, this opposition and these arguments have opened up new avenues for thought and exploration.

They have the potential to inspire further research and discussion, leading to a more nuanced and informed view of the topic at hand.

I look forward to seeing where these ideas will take us in the future.

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GoodToMeetU

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

After having read Stace, Thilly, and Copleston, this book truly gives the impression of what it is - a very short introduction.

Nevertheless, I must state that it did not cover a significant portion of what is known as pre-Socratic philosophy. Most of the philosophers were merely mentioned, and their contributions were condensed into a single sentence. I fully comprehend that they had to limit the book to approximately 150 pages. However, they could have reduced the number of pictures, which, for the most part, had no relevance, at least philosophically. But perhaps they did this to make it more appealing to the average reader.

Anyway, as an introduction to the subject, this book was a complete failure. I would recommend W.T. Stace's work instead. The only drawback of his book is the unjustified抹黑 of Indian philosophy in the introduction. Otherwise, that book is an excellent introduction and a captivating read. And it's not even a large book. So, you can see that one can do a better job even with a relatively small book.

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Presocratic Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction

catherine osborne

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