Customer Reviews

Early Greek Philosophy

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Potential buyers should be aware that this edition is a photographic reproduction of the 1892 first edition of Burnet's famous book. It would probably be better to find a copy (used) of the final, fourth edition.

It is probably the best work on Presocratic philosophers including their biographies, found fragments and commentary. Burnet, who is best known for his translation of Plato's works (the Platonis Opera Oxoniensis), was one of the greatest specialists in ancient philosophy and this can be seen by the accuracy of the information this book offers. However, it is not one of those professional studies that bore the reader and don't manage to transmit any information. Apart from some newly (XXth century) acquired information in the field (that may have occurred since Burnet wrote this book), "Early Greek Philosophers" offers to the amateur reader the best overview on Presocratic Philosophy.

For those who are considering this book, I found it accessible to beginners, because it was the *first* book on the Presocratics I read, and I got through it fine (with no prior Greek Philosophy instruction). Not as "strenuous" as Kirk & Raven which had quotes imbedded in footnotes etc. making it more of a "scholarly" thing (but also excellent nonetheless).