Ancient Philosophy of Religion : The History of Western Philosophy of Religion, Volume 1

The origins of the Western philosophical tradition lie in the ancient Greco-Roman world. This volume provides a unique insight into the life and writings of a diverse group of philosophers in antiquity and presents the latest thinking on their views on God, the gods, religious belief and practice. Beginning with the 'pre-Socratics', the volume then explores the influential contributions made to the Western philosophy of religion by the three towering figures of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. The chapters that follow cover the the leading philosophers of the major schools of the ancient world - Epicureanism, Stoicism, Neoplatonism and the early Christian Church. "Ancient Philosophy of Religion" will be of interest to scholars and students of Philosophy, Classics and Religion, while remaining accessible to any interested in the rich cultural heritage of ancient religious thought. An international team of over 100 leading scholars has been brought together to provide authoritative exposition of how history#x92;s most important philosophical thinkers - from antiquity to the present day - have sought to analyse the concepts and tenets central to Western religious belief, especially Christianity. Volume 1 comprises an introduction, presenting an overview of Ancient philosophy of religion, and a series of essays on Ancient philosophers, including Pythagoras, Constantinos, Socrates, Xenophon, Plato, Cicero, Plotinus, Augustine, Proculs, Pseudo-Dionysius, Epicurus and Aristotle. Each essay opens with a brief biography, outlines and analyses the philosopher#x92;s contribution to thinking on religion, and concludes with key further reading. The volume closes with a chronology, presenting a contextual guide to the main religious, political, cultural and artistic events of the period. This volume is an excellent tool for those undertaking research in this area This major work of reference is an indispensable resource for anyone conducting research or teaching in the philosophy of religion and related fields, such as theology, religious studies, the history of philosophy, and the history of ideas. v. 1. Ancient philosophy of religion -- -- v. 2. Medieval philosophy of religion -- -- v. 3. Early modern philosophy of religion -- -- v. 4. Nineteenth-century philosophy of religion -- -- v. 5. Twentieth-century philosophy of religion. Covering the period from the 6th to the 16th century, this volume shows how thinkers explicated and defended their faith in light of the philosophical traditions they inherited from the ancient Greeks and Romans.