Ancient Mediterranean Philosophy: An Introduction (Bloomsbury History of Philosophy)

Although the Greeks were responsible for the first systematic philosophy of which we have any record, they were not alone in the Mediterranean world and were happy to draw inspiration from other traditions; traditions that are now largely neglected by philosophers and scholars. This book tells the story of 'Greek Philosophy', paying due attention to its historical context and the contributions made by Egyptians, Hebrews, Persians and even barbarians from northern Europe. Stephen Clark provides a narrative history of the philosophical traditions that took shape over several centuries in the Mediterranean world and offers a comprehensive survey of this crucial period in the history of philosophy. The book includes a thorough historical and philosophical overview of all the key thinkers, events and ideas that characterized the period and explores in detail central themes such as the contest of gods and giants, the contrast between the reality and appearance, and the idea of the philosopher. Ideal for undergraduate students, this concise and accessible book provides a comprehensive guide to a fascinating period in the history of philosophy. Preface vii Acknowledgements xii Map of Ancient Mediterranean World xiii 1 Beginnings 1 Pre-historical speculations 1 Mythos and logos 6 Gods of the Greeks and others 12 Nature and spirit confounded 19 2 Influence from outside 23 Tales from the East 23 Tales from the South 30 Tales from the North 39 Tales from the past 45 3 Inspired thinkers 55 Seeking the unseen 55 Sicilians and Italians 60 Philosophers and Jews 70 4 Travellers and stay-at-homes 81 Custom, dictat and advantage 81 Protagoras and Socrates 86 Purity and the practice of death 92 5 Divine Plato 103 Reading the dialogues 103 Forms 109 Two worlds or one 115 Politics 121 6 The Aristotelian synthesis 125 ‘The master of them that know’ 125 Slaves and citizens 132 Post-Aristotelian centuries 141 7 Living the philosophical life 143 Stoics and Cynics 143 Hebrews and Zoroastrians 147 Epicureans and Buddhists 151 8 Ordinary and supernatural lives 157 Abstract virtues and the Romans 157 Sons of God 161 Divination and technology 169 Philosophy and foolosophies 177 9 Late antiquity 185 Fixed stars and planets, and an escape from Fate 185 Classical and Magian culture 191 The way we didn’t take 196 10 An end and a beginning 203 Notes 209 Recommended reading 217 Works cited 221 Index 233 Beginnings -- Influence From Outside -- Inspired Thinkers -- Travellers And Stay-at-homes -- Divine Plato -- The Aristotelian Synthesis -- Living The Philosophical Life -- Ordinary And Supernatural Lives -- Late Antiquity -- An End And A Beginning. Stephen R.l. Clark. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [221]-231) And Index.