A History of Greek Philosophy: Volume 3, The Fifth Century Enlightenment, Part 1, The Sophists [Paperback]

W. K. C. Guthrie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 27, 1977 | ISBN-10: 0521096669 | ISBN-13: 978-0521096669

The third volume of Professor Guthrie's great history of Greek thought, entitled The Fifth-Century Enlightenment, deals in two parts with the Sophists and Socrates, the key figures in the dramatic and fundamental shift of philosophical interest from the physical universe to man. Each of these parts is now available as a paperback with the text, bibliography and indexes amended where necessary so that each part is self-contained. The Sophists assesses the contribution of individuals like Protagoras, Gorgias and Hippias to the extraordinary intellectual and moral fermant in fifth-century Athens. They questioned the bases of morality, religion and organized society itself and the nature of knowledge and language; they initiated a whole series of important and continuing debates, and they provoked Socrates and Plato to a major restatement and defence of traditional values.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'This book, like the age it reflects, is a brilliant achievement. Professor Guthrie's study combines remarkable erudition and inclusiveness of scope with a lucis and readable style ... Professor Guthrie succeeds in giving us the most balanced and perceptive treatment of fifth-century thought that has yet been written.' American Historical Review

'Once again the qualities for which the first two volumes have justly been praised are in evidence. Chief among these qualities are the lucidity of the author's writing, the judiciousness of his opinions and the comprehensiveness of his treatment ... Other historians of Greek philosophy have impressed their philosophical personality more firmly on their accounts. But for those who wish their guide above all to be sound, Professor Guthrie is incontestably their man.' Times Literary Supplement

Product Details

• Paperback: 356 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (May 27, 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521096669
• ISBN-13: 978-0521096669
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #831,442 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Focus, August 8, 2011

By 

G. D. Albear - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A History of Greek Philosophy: Volume 3, The Fifth Century Enlightenment, Part 1, The Sophists (Paperback)

This is a great way to have Professor Guthrie's Magnus Opus available to the public. More specifically, it allows me as a teacher of the philosophy of education to introduce future teachers to the truth relative to this very interesting and defamed group of ancient teachers. The text starts with a definition of what the word Sophist means etymologically, then works through an explanation of the professional status of the sophists and their methods ending the definitional construct with the historic fate of the movement at the hands of Plato and Aristotle.

Professor Guthrie then begins to discuss the history and particulars of the major concepts of the sophists, explaining first Nomos and then Physis and the men within the sophistical movement that represented these concepts. The focus is on the explication of the differences between the concepts as well as their similarities through a view of the major figures of the movement starting with Protagoras.

Guthrie then enters the perspective of the realists Thucydides, Glaucon etc. and begins a more in-depth look at the Physis through discussions on Callicles and Antiphon, to name but a few. Guthrie continues the work by looking at the idea of the social compact vis-a-vis identity and equality issues, a focus that was way ahead of its time in regards to these particular types of works on the history of philosophy and ideology.

He then turns to a discussion of the relativity of values and its effect on ethical theory, rhetoric, and philosophical concepts. He continues the discourse on the subject through a look at rationalism in religious theories such as agnosticism and atheism and devotes an entire chapter (X to be specific in this text) to the question, "Can Virtue be Taught?"

The rest of the book,focuses on the men themselves from Protagoras to Lycophron and ends with some of the anonymous writes of the movement.

A focused bibliography and some great indexes finish the tome.

Like all his other books on Philosophy and Intellectual History the work is phenomenal, comprehensive, unique, and clear. A must READ! for anyone attempting to understand the subject.

G.D. Albear, Ph.D.