Introduction to Presocratics: A Thematic Approach to Early Greek Philosophy with Key Readings

178 Pages·2012·2.52 MB·English

by  Giannis Stamatellos

INTRODUCTION TO
PRESOCRATICS

INTRODUCTION TO
PRESOCRATICS
A THEMATIC APPROACH TO EARLY GREEK
PHILOSOPHY WITH KEY READINGS
GIANNIS
STAMATELLOS
A John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Publication
This edition first published 2012
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Stamatellos, Giannis, 1970–
Introduction to Presocratics : a thematic approach to early Greek philosophy with key
readings / Giannis Stamatellos.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and indexes.
ISBN 978-0-470-65502-3 (hardback : alk. paper) – ISBN 978-0-470-65503-0 (pbk.:
alk. paper) 1. Pre-Socratic philosophers. I. Title.
B187.5.S73 2012
182–dc23
2011045995
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
Set in 10/12.5 pt Plantin by Toppan Best-set Premedia Limited
1 2012
To Rosemary

Contents
Preface viii
Chronology xi
Reference Guide to the Presocratics xii
Map: The Eastern Mediterranean in the Sixth
and Fifth Century bce xiv
1 Introduction 1
2 The Philosophers 9
3 Principles 19
4 Cosmos 31
5 Being 41
6 Soul 52
7 Knowledge 62
8 Ethics 71
9 Conclusion 80
Appendix A: Translation of the Main Fragments 82
Appendix B: The Presocratic Sources 116
Appendix C: The Presocratic Legacy 119
Glossary of Greek Terms 131
Glossary of Philosophical Terms 134
Bibliography 141
Index 151
Preface
The origins of Western philosophy and science can be traced back to the
early Greek philosophers of the sixth and fifth century bce, known as
‘Presocratics’ – that is, those who preceded Socrates. The main figures
are Thales, Anaximander and Anaximenes, all three from Miletus, on
the Ionian coast of Asia Minor; the widely traveled Xenophanes of
Colophon; Heraclitus of Ephesus; Pythagoras from the island of Samos;
Parmenides and Zeno, known as ‘Eleatics’ on account of their origin
from Elea in south Italy; Melissus from Samos, also placed among the
Eleatics for his support and adaptation of Parmenides’ arguments; and
then, finally, the ‘pluralists’ (also called ‘Neo-Ionians’) – physicalists who
posited more than one basic principle in their ontology: the Sicilian
Empedocles; Anaxagoras of Clazomenae; and the ‘atomists’ – Leucippus
and Democritus, both of them connected with Abdera in northern
Greece.
This book aims to offer a concise philosophical introduction to the
Presocratic thinkers and in doing so it follows a thematic exposition of
the topics discussed by these Greek pioneers. It intends to show how
Presocratic thinking formed, creating the early Greek philosophical tra-
dition, and how one Presocratic responded to another. In this way it
hopes to demonstrate their innovative philosophical explorations.
The book comprises of a series of short essays on six philosophical
themes significant to Presocratic inquiry. The six themes are: principles,
the cosmos, being, soul, knowledge and ethics. These themes emerge as
important philosophical topics not only in the history of ancient Greek
philosophy, but also in modern philosophical inquiries and they have
been selected for this reason. They also indicate the wide range of philo-
sophical interests found in the Presocratic tradition, which embraced the