The Oxford Handbook of Presocratic Philosophy (Oxford Handbooks)

## Abstract The Oxford Handbook of Presocratic Philosophy brings together leading international scholars to study the diverse figures, movements, and approaches that constitute Presocratic philosophy. In the sixth and fifth centuries bc a new kind of thinker appeared in Greek city-states, dedicated to finding the origins of the world and everything in it, using observation and reason rather than tradition and myth. We call these thinkers Presocratic philosophers, and recognize them as the first philosophers of the Western tradition, as well as the originators of scientific thinking. New textual discoveries and new approaches make a reconsideration of the Presocratics at the beginning of the twenty-first century especially timely. More than a survey of scholarship, this study presents new interpretations and evaluations of the Presocratics' accomplishments, from Thales to the sophists, from theology to science, and from pre-philosophical background to their influence on later thinkers. Many positions presented here challenge accepted wisdom and offer alternative accounts of Presocratic theories. This book includes chapters on the Milesians (Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes), Xenophanes, Heraclitus, Parmenides, Anaxagoras, Empedocles, the Pythagoreans, the atomists, and the sophists. Special studies are devoted to the sources of Presocratic philosophy, oriental influences, Hippocratic medicine, cosmology, explanation, epistemology, theology, and the reception of Presocratic thought in Aristotle and other ancient authors. This Handbook Brings Together Leading International Scholars To Study The Diverse Figures, Movements, And Approaches That Constitute Presocratic Philosophy. The Study Presents Interpretations And Evaluations Of The Presocratics' Accomplishments, From Thales To The Sophists And From Theology To Science. The Sources For Presocratic Philosophy / David T. Runia -- Prehistory Of Presocratic Philosophy In An Orientalizing Context / Walter Burkert -- Milesian Measures : Time, Space, And Matter / Stephen A. White -- The Cloud-astrophysics Of Xenophanes And Ionian Material Monism / Alexander P.d. Mourelatos -- Heraclitus : Flux, Order, And Knowledge / Daniel W. Graham -- Signs And Arguments In The Parmenides B8 / Richard D. Mckirahan -- Anaxagoras And The Theory Of Everything / Patricia Curd -- Empedocles : Physical And Mythical Divinity / Oliver Primavesi -- Two Problems In Pythagoreanism / Carl Huffman -- Atomism's Eleatic Roots / David Sedley -- Leucippus's Atomism / Daniel W. Graham -- Speculating About Diogenes Of Apollonia / André Laks -- The Sophists / Michael Gagarin And Paul Woodruff -- The Role Of Medicine In The Formation Of Early Greek Thought / Philip Van Der Eijk -- Presocratic Cosmologies / M.r. Wright -- Reason, Cause, And Explanation In Presocratic Philosophy / R.j. Hankinson -- The Humanizing Of Knowledge In Presocratic Thought / J.h. Lesher -- Presocratic Theology / T.m. Robinson -- Aristotle's Account Of The Origins Of Philosophy / Michael Frede -- Classical Representations And Uses Of The Presocratics / John Palmer. Edited By Patricia Curd And Daniel W. Graham. Series From Jacket. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes. In the sixth and fifth centuries B.C. a new kind of thinker appeared in Greek city-states, dedicated to finding the origins of the world and everything in it, using observation and reason rather than tradition and myth. We call these thinkers Presocratic philosophers, and recognize them as the first philosophers of the Western tradition, as well as the originators of scientific thinking. New textual discoveries and new approaches make a reconsideration of the Presocratics at the beginning of the twenty-first century especially timely. This handbook brings together leading international scholars to study the diverse figures, movements, and approaches that constitute Presocratic philosophy. More than a survey of scholarship, this study presents new interpretations and evaluations of the Presocratics' accomplishments, from Thales to the sophists, from theology to science, and from pre-philosophical background to their influence on later thinkers. Many positions presented here challenge accepted wisdom and offer alternative accounts of Presocratic theories. This handbook includes chapters on the Milesians (Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes), Xenophanes, Heraclitus, Parmenides, Anaxagoras, Empedocles, the Pythagoreans, the atomists, and the sophists. Special studies are devoted to the sources of Presocratic philosophy, oriental influences, Hippocratic medicine, cosmology, explanation, epistemology, theology, and the reception of Presocratic thought in Aristotle and other ancient authors.