The Art and Thought of Heraclitus: A New Arrangement and Translation of the Fragments with Literary and Philosophical Commentary

Behind the superficial obscurity of what fragments we have of Heraclitus' thought, Professor Kahn claims that it is possible to detect a systematic view of human existence, a theory of language which sees ambiguity as a device for the expression of multiple meaning, and a vision of human life and death within the larger order of nature. The fragments are presented here in a readable order; translation and commentary aim to make accessible the power and originality of a systematic thinker and a great master of artistic prose. The commentary locates Heraclitus within the tradition of early Greek thought, but stresses the importance of his ideas for topical theories of language, literature and philosophy. Behind the superficial obscurity of what fragments we have of Heraclitus' thought, Professor Kahn claims that it is possible to detect a systematic view of human existence, a theory of language which sees ambiguity as a device for the expression of multiple meaning, and a vision of human life and death within the larger order of nature. The fragments are presented here in a readable order; translation and commentary aim to make accessible the power and originality of a systematic thinker and a great master of artistic prose. The bulk of the book consists of a commentary which deals with each fragment in turn while relating it to the others, to the literary background and to Heraclitus' thought as a whole. Here Greek is given in transliteration to make easier reading for the non-specialist. This is primarily a book for students of philosophy but it is hoped it will be of interest to all students of comparative literature and thought. -- From publisher's description

Behind the superficial obscurity of what fragments we have of Heraclitus' thought, Professor Kahn claims that it is possible to detect a systematic view of human existence, a theory of language which sees ambiguity as a device for the expression of multiple meaning, and a vision of human life and death within the larger order of nature. The fragments are presented here in a readable order; translation and commentary aim to make accessible the power and originality of a systematic thinker and the first great master of artistic prose. The commentary locates Heraclitus within the tradition of early Greek thought, but stresses the importance of his ideas for contemporary theories of language, literature and philosophy.

Preface -- Bibliography And Abbreviations -- General Introduction: 1. The Man, The Time And The Place ; 2. The Book ; 3. The Doctrine: Heraclitus And His Predecessors -- Introductory Note To Text And Translation -- The Fragments -- On Reading Heraclitus -- Commentary On The Fragments -- Appendices: I. Dubious Quotations From Heraclitus ; Ii. Doxographic Reports ; Iii. Heraclitus And The Orient, Apropos Of A Recent Book By M. L. West -- Notes -- Concordances -- Indexes: 1. General Index ; 2. Index Of Passages Discussed. Charles H. Kahn. Includes Greek Original And English Translation Of The Fragments. Includes Indexes. Bibliography: P. [xii]-xiv. Professor Kahn pieces together the fragments of Heraclitus' thought and finds a philosophy about human existence, a theory of language of multiple meaning and ambiguity, and a vision of life and death. The fragments are presented here in a readable order; translation and commentary aim to make accessible to everyone. In this study, the disconnected fragments of the writings of Heraclitus, the Greek philosopher (ca. 500 B.C.), are translated, and the pattern of his thought is reconstructed by the author. I give here as a 'fragment' every ancient citation or report that seems to provide information about the content of Heraclitus' book not otherwise available.