Stoics, Epicureans and Sceptics: An Introduction to Hellenistic PhilosophyThis study gives a comprehensive and readable account of the principal doctrines of the Stoics, Epicureans and various sceptical traditions from the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC to about 200 AD. The discussion is arranged by topics, rather than schools, in order to bring out the underlying issues and make clear what the different schools have in common and how they differ. At the same time, the coherence of each system as a whole is emphasised. The Hellenistic philosophers and schools of philosophy are emerging from the shadow of Plato and Aristotle and are increasingly studied for their intrinsic philosophical value. Yet not only are they interesting in their own right, but they also form the intellectual background of the late Roman Republic and the early Empire. A thorough understanding of them is therefore essential for the appreciation of Latin thought and literature. Stoics, Epicureans and Sceptics provides an introduction to the subject for all who are interested in understanding the significance of this period of ancient thought. |
Contents
Aims Context Personalities Sources | 1 |
2 How Do We Know Anything? | 11 |
3 What is Reality? | 33 |
4 What are We? | 59 |
5 How Can I Be Happy? | 82 |
6 What about Other People? | 116 |
7 Epilogue | 128 |
Notes | 134 |
Suggestions for further reading | 146 |
149 | |
Other editions - View all
Stoics, Epicureans and Sceptics: An Introduction to Hellenistic Philosophy R.W. Sharples Limited preview - 2014 |
Stoics, Epicureans and Sceptics: An Introduction to Hellenistic Philosophy R. W. Sharples Limited preview - 1996 |
Stoics, Epicureans and Sceptics: An Introduction to Hellenistic Philosophy R. W. Sharples Limited preview - 1996 |
Common terms and phrases
Academic sceptic accordance with nature action AĆ«tius Alexander of Aphrodisias ancient Greek Annas anxiety apprehensive argued argument Aristotle Aristotle's assent atomist atoms body Calcidius Cambridge Carneades century BC Chapter Five Chapter Three Chrysippus Cicero cited claim compounds concern context death Democritus desire Diogenes Diogenes Laertius Diogenes of Oenoanda divine doctrine emphasis Epictetus Epicurean Epicurus ethics everything evil example exist fact Fate fear friendship Galen gods Hankinson happens happiness Hellenistic philosophy human ibid images individual indivisible infinite Letters on Morals live logic Lucretius mind objects one's pain Panaetius particular Philo physical Plato pleasure Plutarch Posidonius position possible predetermined present principles Pyrrho Pythocles question reason recognise rejected Roman seems Seneca sensation sense Sextus simply soul Sphaerus Stobaeus Stoic sage Stoic view Stoicism suggested suspension of judgement swerve theory things thought true truth virtue virtuous void whole wise person Zeno