Philosophic Classics

by Forrest E. Baird

For courses in Ancient Philosophy. Designed to be accessible to today's students, this anthology of readings in Ancient Western philosophy focuses on the writings of the most important Greek philosophers, along with selections from some of their Roman followers. Striking a balance between major and minor figures, it features the best available translations of texts--complete works or complete selections of works--which are both central to each philosopher's thought and are widely accepted as part of the "canon." The selections are readable and accessible, while still being faithful to the original. Introductions to each philosopher; an abundance of drawings, diagrams, photographs; and a timeline keep students focused throughout.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Classics

Paperback

First published January 1, 1968

Reviews

[emmmma berverrr · Rating 2 out of 5]

if i had to struggle through this whole book i am at least going to log it on goodreads ugh

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really a very good collection. The material on the pre-Socratics is certainly enjoyable for its quirkiness. Pre-Socratic philosophy I think is rather undervalued, as its approach - the searching of an underlying cause for the natural world - is very much the fetal beginnings of the scientific inquiry which continued with Aristotle and arose in the Western world so many years afterward. Going from the inquiries of the pre-Socratics to the other-worldliness of Plato and his forms, and then back to Aristotle's attempts at natural science is a fun journey that shows the range which still informs today's philosophical undertakings. I had this text for a class, so I am really not sure how well the Hellenistic schools are treated, since we sort of rushed over them, but there seems to be a solid overview. My main problem is that the translation for Aristotle's Physics and Metaphysics is so bad as to be downright unreadable. The first truly understandable bit comes with the Nicomachean Ethics, which is a shame since the Metaphysics concerns so many interesting ideas while also being the titular text for an entire branch of philosophy. A good overview of the ancients, but you will need extra material if you want to walk with the Peripatetics.

[Rick Ludwig · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read about a third of this book and am glad that I did. However, I will have to be in a particularly scholarly mood when I pick it up to continue. I got up through Socrates and Plato, but enjoyed things less when the philosophy became more Plato's than Socrates' s.

[Alex Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good compilation, it touches some major high notes from both well-known and more obscure ancient philosophers. The only real complaint is that the translations of Plato and Aristotle from the Greek read rather awkwardly. I'd suggest getting an earlier edition where this isn't the case.

[Bria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Man, if those Greeks had actually known anything, they would have been really smart!

[Izumi Cullenaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Currently reading this book and enjoying it a lot.Though many parts are not complete but still very helpful.:-)