A History of Greek Philosophy: Volume 3, The Fifth Century Enlightenment, Part 2, Socrates

The third volume of Professor Guthrie's great history of Greek thought, entitled The Fifth-Century Enlightenment, deals in two parts with the Sophists and Socrates, the key figures in the dramatic and fundamental shift of philosophical interest from the physical universe to man. Each of the two parts is available as a paperback with the text, bibliography and indexes amended where necessary so that each part is self-contained. Socrates dominated the controversies of this period, as he has dominated the subsequent history of western philosophy. He was the first to identify and grapple with some of the most intractable and persistent logical and philosophical problems; but he was also and has remained a highly controversial figure because of his extraordinary personal qualities and his remarkable career. Professor Guthrie offers a balanced and comprehensive picture of the man, his life, and his thought. 'This book, like the age it reflects, is a brilliant achievement. Professor Guthrie's study combines remarkable erudition and inclusiveness of scope with a lucid and readable style...Professor Guthrie succeeds in giving us the most balanced and perceptive treatment of fifth-century thought that has yet been written". -American Historical Review v. 1. The earlier Presocratics and Pythagoreans v. 2. The Presocratic tradition from Parmenides to Democritus v. 3. The fifth-century enlightenment v. 4. Plato, the man and his dialogues : earlier period v. 5. The later Plato and the Academy v. 6. Aristotle, an encounter Investigates the character, life, and philosophical thought of Socrates against the background of his contemporaries Surveys Greek thought through a critical discussion of the major schools and philosophers