Philosophy Before Socrates: An Introduction With Text and Commentary [Paperback]

Richard D. McKirahan (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0872201759 | ISBN-13: 978-0872201750 | Publication Date: March 1994

A new introduction and sourcebook in presocratic philosophy, Philosophy Before Socrates provides a wide survey, informed by the most recent scholarship, of Greek science, metaphysics, and moral and political philosophy, from their roots in myth to the philosophers and sophists of the fifth century. A comprehensive selection of fragments and testimonia, newly translated by the author, is presented in the context of a thorough and accessible discussion. An introductory chapter deals with the sources of presocratic and sophistic texts and the special problems of interpretation they present.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Combines impeccable translations of the primary texts with commentary that is historically responsible and philosophically stimulating, firm guidance with unobtrusiveness. . . . The book is a great achievement: it will rapidly establish itself as the standard coursetext for introducing students to early Greek philosophy. -- A. A. Long, University of California at Berkeley

About the Author

Richard D McKirahan

Product Details

• Paperback: 436 pages
• Publisher: Hackett Pub Co Inc (March 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0872201759
• ISBN-13: 978-0872201750
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #269,817 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #76 in Books > Education & Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Foreign Language > Greek
  • #88 in Books > Education & Reference > Foreign Languages > Greek

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tremendous introduction to the material, a great reference source, a page turner!, September 22, 2006

By 

Matthew T. Weflen "Matthew Weflen" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Philosophy Before Socrates: An Introduction With Text and Commentary (Paperback)

Here's what you get: An introduction regarding the history and or life stories of each source. 99% of the existing fragments in McKirahan's own translation. A brief but informative explanation from McKirahan's view of each Philosopher. Rinse, lather, repeat, one chapter for each Pre-Socratic.

I must disagree with the opinion that McKirahan's prose explanations of the fragments are somehow lacking or overly terse - I find he strikes just the right balance between offering theory and explanations for the fragments and going too far in pressing his view. Particularly deft is the way he frames the Milesian School, the "Eleatic Challenge," and the responses to the challenge thereafter. A very nice framework for understanding the evolution of the thought through time.

I was spellbound from start to finish. Not only is the source material interesting, engaging, perplexing, inspiring; but the scholarship offered in support of it by McKirahan is balanced, thoughtful, and never overbearing. Because of its logical layout, its brevity, and its clarity, this is the ultimate textbook for any survey of the Pre-Socratics.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Introduction, June 11, 2007

By 

Reader From Aurora - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philosophy Before Socrates: An Introduction With Text and Commentary (Paperback)

Philosophy Before Socrates by Richard McKirahan overviews pre-Socratic Greek philosophers up to and including the Sophists.

McKirahan's book is crisp and comprehensive providing an accessible scholarly introduction to pre-Socratic thought. Though a survey text , the author rightly highlights the limitations that exist in studying ancient thinkers - a point sometimes overlooked in introductory works. Some readers may also find the cross referencing of documents to other well-known catalogues/indexes such as Diels and Knanz useful.

One small criticism that might be addressed in a subsequent edition is the handling of the so-called "Eleatic challenge" posed by Parmenides. Given that this challenge and its inherent ramifications are especially relevant to many subsequent thinkers it may warrant more clarification, i.e. if one accepts the notion that non-being is logically unthinkable, a plurality of substances and motion seem to be impossible. It is not a clear concept at first glance and, if not clarified, students may be perplexed about its importance.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to readers seeking an introduction to pre-Socratic philosophers - it is the best introduction to the subject that I have come across. Folks interested in this area may also enjoy a related free on-line ancient philosophy course offered by Howard Ruttenberg of City University of New York (just google Ruttenberg).

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Heavy Reading, Great Reference, November 9, 2002

By 

Crawford - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philosophy Before Socrates: An Introduction With Text and Commentary (Paperback)

This book is not one that I would recommend for free reading, unless you have a strange affinity for ancient presocratic philosophy. However, as a reference book, or a book for learning philosophy, the book ranks among the best. I was introduced to this book in my Philosophy course at UCLA, and this book was an excellent learning tool. The author sets out translated fragments from ancient philosophers and writers, like Parmenides, Aristotle, and Plato. Then, McKirahan does an excellent job of analyzing and explaining the fragments. The book is set up well; it is interesting and makes an EXCELLENT reference book.