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. Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Contents 6 Preface 8 Acknowledgements 13 Map 14 Chapter 1 Beginnings 16 Pre-historical speculations 16 Mythos and logos 21 Gods of the greeks and others 27 Nature and spirit confounded 34 Chapter 2 Influence from outside 38 Tales from the east 38 Tales from the south 45 Tales from the north 54 Tales from the past 60 Chapter 3 Inspired thinkers 70 Seeking the unseen 70 Sicilians and italians 75 Philosophers and Jews 85 Chapter 4 Travellers and stay-at-homes 96 Custom, dictat and advantage 96 Protagoras and socrates 101 Purity and the practice of death 107 Chapter 5 Divine Plato 118 Reading the dialogues 118 Forms 124 Two worlds or one 130 Politics 136 Chapter 6 The Aristotelian synthesis 140 ‘The master of them that know’ 140 Slaves and citizens 147 Post-aristotelian centuries 156 Chapter 7 Living the philosophical life 158 Stoics and Cynics 158 Hebrews and Zoroastrians 162 Epicureans and Buddhists 166 Chapter 8 Ordinary and supernatural lives 172 Abstract virtues and the romans 172 Sons of god 176 Divination and technology 184 Philosophy and foolosophies 192 Chapter 9 Late antiquity 200 Fixed stars and planets, and an escape from fate 200 Classical and magian culture 206 The way we didn’t take 211 Chapter 10 An end and a beginning 218 Notes 224 Chapter 1 224 Chapter 2 225 Chapter 3 227 Chapter 4 229 Chapter 5 230 Chapter 8 230 Chapter 9 231 Chapter 10 231 Recommended reading 232 Works Cited 236 Ancient sources 236 Modern literature 239 Index 248 Preface \ Acknowledgements \ Map \ 1. Beginnings \ 2.Influence from Outside \ 3. Inspired Thinkers \ 4. Travellers and Stay-at-Homes\ 5. Divine Plato \ 6. The Aristotelian Synthesis \ 7. Living the PhilosophicalLife \ 8. Ordinary and Supernatural Lives \ 9. Late Antiquity \ 10. An End anda Beginning \ Endnotes \ Recommended Reading \ Works Cited \ Index 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.