THE PRESOCRATICS AND THE SOPHISTS
580 - 400 BC

(08 January 2021)

It is truly remarkable that so much of the thought and ideas of the Presocratics and Sophists have come down to us. This is especially so considering that most of these philosophers lived before the age of recorded history. It seems as if suddenly, emerging from the mysterious "Apeiron," the entire discipline of philosophy began in a flash and set off a 2,500-year tradition of inquiry and thought.

Reading about these philosophers can be a tedious task. Much of what we have is either speculation on the makeup of the world, which in many cases is now considered 'junk science,' or incomprehensible contemplation on the nature of being. For example, Anaximedes' assertion that the Sun was Earth-like until it caught fire from moving so fast through the air may seem laughable to us now. But we must remember that in his time, the prevailing thought was that the Sun was the corporeal avatar of Helios and his chariot.

These philosophers were all equally wondrous, curious, and irreverent. Xenophanes provides a perfect example with his statement: "If cows and horses or lions had hands, or could draw with their hands and make things as men can, horses would have drawn horse-like gods, cows cow-like gods, and each species would have made the gods’ bodies just like their own. Ethiopians say that their gods are flat-nosed and black, and Thracians that theirs have blue eyes and red hair." Heraclitus, on the other hand, was even more brutally honest with his statement: "Corpses should be disposed of more readily than dung."

Of these philosophers, I only found Anaximander and Heraclitus truly worth reading. Anaximander asserted that the "Apeiron," the boundless and infinite, was the source of all else. He also, somewhat surprisingly, described the law of the conservation of energy (albeit primitively) and the water cycle. Heraclitus, on the other hand, famously asserted that the world was in constant flux and one could never step in the same river twice. Flux, chaos, or "war" - as he puts it - is the driving force of everything. He also believed that the only thing that unites all is the logos, the word, the reason, and the order.

There are other interesting philosophers in this volume such as Parmenides, the Pythagoreans, and the Atomists. However, I will not speak of them here. The Sophists, on the other hand, were more comprehensible but less interesting. The only one who I found to be worth reading was Protagoras, who asserted that "Man is the measure of all things - of the things that are, that they are, and of the things that are not, that they are not." This extraordinary statement of humanism has had a profound impact on Western thought and reverberates all the way to Dostoevsky's theory of collective sin and Sartre's doctrine of collective definition. Protagoras was a relativist who believed that there is no truth and all is perception. Despite this, he also believed that good leaders can make their communities more ethical, an idea that is as relevant today as it was then.

Aside from those mentioned above, most of these philosophers are not worth reading except for their historical value. Most of their ideas are either scientifically useless or have been surpassed by later thinkers. However, we do owe a great debt to these gentlemen for their courage in asking the big questions and for laying the foundation for the development of Western philosophy.

This was a DNF for me.

Life is just far too short for me to persist in attempting to read this book. I managed to reach approximately the 28% mark, and that is more than sufficient.

I should commence by stating that philosophy truly isn't my forte. I was endeavoring to read this in anticipation of a class that commences in a few months and will touch upon some of the early Greek philosophers, along with numerous other topics. However, I simply cannot continue with this book. It is simply a poor reading experience for me. That doesn't imply that the book is bad. It just indicates that I am clearly not the intended audience. I did like certain parts by Robin Waterfield when he delineates the differences among various philosophers. Nevertheless, the majority of the book is replete with snippets from such ancient authors as Cicero, Plutarch, Augustine, Aristotle, and so on, along with fragments of what the various philosophers believed. Honestly, I had difficulty differentiating them all (notably Anaximenes and Anaximander).

If you are yearning to know more about the diverse early schools of Greek philosophy (such as the Milesians, presocratics, etc.) and particularly many of the individual philosophers, this might be the book for you. As for me, I know a bit more than when I began, but this book was simply not to my liking and I am abandoning it.

The Pre-Socratics are an essential and fascinating group in the history of philosophy.

Their ideas laid the foundation for much of Western philosophical thought.

This brilliant introduction provides a comprehensive overview of their various theories and perspectives.

It delves into their attempts to understand the fundamental nature of the universe, the origin of things, and the nature of knowledge.

By presenting their ideas in a chronological order, readers can easily follow the development of philosophical thought from the earliest times.

Whether you are a student of philosophy or simply interested in exploring the history of ideas, this introduction is highly recommended.

It offers a unique and valuable perspective on the Pre-Socratics and their significance in the evolution of philosophy.

So, if you want to go through philosophy in a more chronological order and gain a deeper understanding of its roots, this is the perfect resource for you.

This historical account is truly fascinating. It is filled with flashes of brilliance that seem to transcend both place and time. These moments are like precious gems that sparkle and shine, captivating the reader's attention. However, it must be noted that there are also many longeurs in between these moments of greatness. These sections can sometimes feel a bit dull and tiresome, causing the reader to lose interest.

The story takes us on a journey through the ideas and teachings of Zeno, Protagoras, and Parmenides. These philosophers were all highly influential in their own ways, and their ideas have had a lasting impact on Western thought. We learn about their different perspectives on reality, knowledge, and ethics, and how their ideas clashed and interacted with one another.

Overall, this article offers a unique and interesting look at a particular period in history. While it may have its flaws, it is still well worth reading for anyone interested in the history of philosophy or the development of Western thought.

A compilation of fragments by the authors exists, in which very little original material remains.

This collection holds particular significance, especially when it comes to the Sophists. The Sophists were an important group in ancient Greek philosophy, and this compilation provides valuable insights into their ideas and teachings.

Moreover, the introductory commentary in this collection is truly excellent. It offers a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the context, background, and key concepts related to the fragments.

The well-written commentary helps readers better understand the often complex and nuanced ideas presented in the fragments, making it an essential resource for anyone interested in the study of ancient Greek philosophy.

Overall, this compilation, despite having limited original material, is a remarkable work that enriches our knowledge and understanding of the Sophists and ancient Greek philosophy as a whole.

Although I have a penchant for the concept of reading philosophy, in many instances, I don't derive particular enjoyment from it. This is especially true when it pertains to ancient philosophy, which is often highly archaic and yet still poses a challenge to decipher. However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this book was truly captivating and enjoyable, reigniting my interest and fascination with Ancient Greek Philosophy.

Given that Waterfield encompasses such a wide range of Presocratic and Sophistic Philosophers, one might anticipate that his biographical sketches of each would be rather brief. However, to my pleasant surprise, I found that he was able to discuss all of the key ideas of each philosopher with the necessary level of detail. Moreover, he skillfully weaved in how their ideas, as we understand them today, may have been influenced by later writers, as well as providing general details about their lives and their significance within the Greek world.

At the conclusion of each chapter, there is a list of fragments from the particular philosopher being discussed. These fragments are continuously referenced throughout Waterfield's account in the chapter. This ensures that his writing remains firmly rooted in the beliefs of the philosopher and does not deviate or descend into Waterfield imposing his own interpretations.

I must confess that I hold a great deal of personal gratitude for this book. It was of incalculable assistance in my essay on Presocratic Philosophers, as it seemed to always have an answer to any question I had regarding a philosopher's beliefs.

Pretty good translations play a crucial role in various aspects. They enable effective communication between different languages and cultures.

When we have accurate and well-expressed translations, it becomes easier for people from different countries to understand each other's ideas, literature, and knowledge.

Good translations can bridge the gap and make information accessible to a wider audience.

Moreover, they contribute to the promotion of cultural exchange and understanding.

Whether it's in the fields of business, education, or entertainment, pretty good translations are highly valued.

They help to break down language barriers and facilitate smooth interactions.

In conclusion, the importance of pretty good translations cannot be underestimated as they have a significant impact on our globalized world.

This statement is truly very enlightening.

For those who have the aspiration to embark on the journey of reading and truly fathoming the profound works of Plato and Aristotle, it is an absolute must.

Plato and Aristotle are two of the most influential philosophers in the history of Western thought. Their ideas have had a profound impact on various fields such as philosophy, politics, ethics, and metaphysics.

Starting to read their works can be a challenging task, but it is also an extremely rewarding one. By delving into their writings, we can gain a deeper understanding of the human condition, the nature of reality, and the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom.

Therefore, if you are interested in exploring the rich intellectual heritage of the Western world and expanding your own intellectual horizons, it is highly recommended that you begin reading Plato and Aristotle.

This is a truly wonderful and highly authoritative collection of pre-Socratic philosophical thought.

However, it is a pity that only a few fragments and testimonia have managed to survive through the ages.

As a result, even an edition as extremely well-organized and clearly introduced as this one still poses great challenges in making sense of the content.

Many of the accounts within it are rather vague and often conflicting with one another.

The fragments themselves are frequently obscure and tricky to decipher, requiring great effort and in-depth study.

Nevertheless, despite all these textual difficulties, this collection is an absolute must-read for all students of philosophy and the history of science.

It provides invaluable insights into the early development of philosophical and scientific thinking, and offers a unique perspective on the intellectual landscape of that distant era.

By delving into these ancient texts, students can gain a deeper understanding of the roots of our modern intellectual traditions and the evolution of human thought.

This book is a very well-selected collection that serves as an excellent introduction and guide to Greek thought before Socrates. The thinkers are presented in chronological order, and Robin Waterfield provides the reader with an explanation of each translated passage, along with special insights into the translation process and the selection of each passage for the collection.

It was a very enlightening experience to be able to see where our way of thinking was born. To have an idea of Western civilization when it was still just a fetus is a knowledge that I consider very important for understanding how everything has come to the present point. The book is very well self-contained in the sense that it does not require a lot of external material, although it helps to have some classes to solidify the understanding. Sometimes it seemed to me a bit of a waste of time to read about some pre-Socratics and sophists who did not seem to contribute much or who had absurdly primitive theories, but almost always the author explained the historical inheritance of such thought or used the next philosopher to show that even the most absurd ideas were part of a process to become a logical idea. I had some moments of true euphoria when I connected the dots and perceived the evolution of some arguments without the help of the book (deduction is not my strong point, so I like to take advantage of the rare moments when it appears to me).

There is not much more that I can say about this book other than what I have already said. It was just one step climbed on the huge staircase that I challenged myself to climb, but it only motivated me even more to climb all of it. Now, I look forward and emotionally prepare myself to embrace my new best friend for the next 6 months or more: Plato. Let's see where this will lead.

Parmenides, Pythagoras, and Heraclitus are truly remarkable figures. They have made significant contributions to the field of philosophy, leaving a lasting impact on the intellectual history of humanity. Their ideas and theories have inspired generations of thinkers and continue to be studied and debated today.

Empedocles, on the other hand, is known for his rather extreme act of throwing himself into a volcano in an attempt to be immortalized. While this may seem like a bold and perhaps even foolhardy move, it also speaks to his intense desire for fame and recognition.

Despite their differences in approach and personality, all of these philosophers have one thing in common: they were all seeking the truth and trying to understand the nature of the universe and our place in it. Their efforts have helped to shape our understanding of the world and have paved the way for future generations of philosophers to build upon their ideas.

This collection presents a diverse array of ancient thinkers.

What I appreciate is that each thinker is introduced with a concise summary of what is known about them and the topics they delved into.

For a significant number of these thinkers, the surviving evidence is extremely scarce. In one instance, there is uncertainty as to whether two named philosophers were actually the same individual.

In many cases, our knowledge of them stems solely from quotations and mentions by later writers, and their portrayals may not always have been precise.

The fragments and essays within this collection span a wide range of topics, from debating the existence or non-existence of gods to attempting to explain natural phenomena like earthquakes and considering how to define reality and the conventional values of ancient Greek society.

It is not an exhaustive compilation of every existing fragment, but it does bring together the key names and crucial ideas that we are aware of from the era preceding the emergence of Socrates.

Bibliographies are also provided at the end of each section for those who wish to explore further and read more about any of the featured individuals or their work.

Certainly, it won't appeal to everyone. However, if you have an interest in Philosophy, Ancient Greece, or are simply generally intrigued by how people have endeavored to explain the world throughout the centuries, then it is a worthwhile collection to seek out.