Antisthenes of Athens: Setting the World Aright (Contributions in Philosophy)

Luis E. Navia provides a comprehensive examination of the ideas and contributions of a Greek philosopher who was influential in the development of classical Cynicism. Based on both primary and secondary sources as well as the findings of modern scholarship, it is a unique contribution to the study of Antisthenes. An important philosopher, only two English-language books about him have been published in the last eighty years. With his clear and accessible narrative style, Navia succeeds in reconstructing Antisthenes' biography resurrecting this ancient philosopher's ideas as still relevant to this day. Navia describes an integral moment in the history of Greek philosophy--the presence of Antisthenes as a student of the Sophists, an associate of Socrates, and the originator of the Cynic movement. This detailed study of the principal sources, includes an index of relevant names, a bibliography of over two hundred and fifty titles, and an appendix consisting of an extensively annotated translation of Diogenes Laertius' biography of Antisthenes. Contents 6 Preface 8 1. Sources and Testimonies 14 NOTES 28 2. A Biographical Sketch 32 NOTES 47 3. The Interpretation of Homer 52 NOTES 64 4. Saying Nothing about the No Thing 66 NOTES 76 5. The Socratic Connection 78 NOTES 99 6. Antisthenes, the Absolute Dog 102 NOTES 131 7. Simon the Shoemaker 136 NOTES 153 Appendix: Diogenes Laertius: The Life of Antisthenes 156 NOTES 160 Bibliography 164 Index of Names 178 Index of Subjects 186 About the Author 190 An investigation of the philosophy and contributions of Antisthenes, the ancient Greek thinker who was influential in the development of classical Cynicism. The work is based on both primary and secondary sources and demonstrates that Antisthenes' ideas are still relevant today.