Ancient Philosophy: A Beginner's Guide

Beginner's Guide (Oneworld Publications)

by William J. Prior

Philosophers didn’t always busy themselves with life’s big questions. The earliest ancient philosophers were primarily concerned with the world of nature, including phenomena such as earthquakes and eclipses. But one enigmatic Greek named Socrates began to explore abstract ideas about human existence. What makes us happy? What is the nature of the soul? And what is our purpose in this universe?

Professor William Prior elegantly guides readers through philosophy’s formative years and key ancient texts. Organised into four themes - nature, reality, the soul and ethics - Ancient A Beginner’s Guide is a lively introduction to the great thinkers who still send our minds reeling today.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 10, 2016

Reviews

[DeanJean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought-provoking. Reading this book is like discovering, in reverse, how the groundwork for our modern 'discoveries' had already been laid down, a few thousand years earlier. And we had to depend on evidence!

[Chai Zheng Xin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read guide to ancient philosophy. I was able to understand the content despite no background in philosophy.

[Isha · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the most part, this book gives you a glimpse of Ancient "Western" Philosophy. It talks about the principles and ideologies of a few philosophers namely Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Epicurus. A very immaculate description of the meaning of a Good Life, Knowledge and reality, The Soul and God and Cosmos. If any of the mentioned words are of any interest to you, then yes this book is for you. No matter how dull the topic looks the book maintains its pace throughout and provides useful insights to the first timers.