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From Religion to Philosophy

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Not simply an argument for the foundations of philosophy, this book contains sharp psychological and philosophical insights that help us understand who we are, and why. Much of Cornford's work here can stand beside that of Nietzsche and Freud. For those interested in the impact and subversivesness to the individual identity within hegemony, this book will answer many questions. It is a classic which can be read on many levels. At least as important today as the day it was published.

It is commonly accepted that the first attempts at rational inquiry took place six centuries before our era. With the advent of Greek Science and Philosophy some of the traditional belief systems were reevaluated and reshaped. But is there a real separation, a borderline between the "scientific" (Ionian) and "mystical" (Italiote) systems of thought? Cornford's From Religion to Philosophy: A Study in the Origins of Western Speculation argues that these two seemingly separate provinces of thought are two successive phases in the development of human feelings and beliefs. His vast knowledge of classical philosophy, mythology, anthropology and sociology allow him to examine the common ground between supernatural beliefs and rational speculations of pre-Socratic philosophers. A remarkable study indeed!!!

Anait Keuchguerian

Since its first release in 1912, this book became a classic. Widely acknowledged as one of the maxim authorities on the Greek philosophers, Cornford proposes that science and philosophy could be traced to religious roots through the mythic beginnings of metaphysical concepts.

Its reading is absolutely indispensable.

This work, originally published in 1912, explores the continuity in thought between Greek religious and philosophical thought. Cornford demonstrates that the origin of much of the cosmology of the early Greek philosophers has its roots in religious thought.

Because this work is nearly a hundred years old, there are a few sections which are fairly dated. In particular, the attempts to trace the origin of religious thought seem to be quite out of date. However, these are largely marginal issues regarding Cornford's main case, and his detailed review of Greek religious and philosophical cosmologies is well done.

This work is not comprehensive. I am aware of many more parallels between Greek religious and philosophical thought than are found in this book However, the goal of the author was not to simply list these but to show that the origins of classical philosophy lie in collective representations of the cosmos inherited from the religious sphere.

I would highly recommend this work.

"Cornford arrived at a picture of the origins of Greek philosophy which was historically superior to that which anyone else has so far reached." -The Classical Review (on back of 1957 edition). I strongly agree.

This is early 20th century anthropology as presented by a world-class scholar. Originally published in 1912, the book obviously lacks awareness of the immense discoveries made by scholars and archaeologists in the last 100 years. Neverthless, Cornford's speculations are based on his deep knowledge ancient Greece and, while many of his speculations are based on philology unsupported by the archaeology now available, those speculations are fascinating to read. An example: he traces "nemos" (a sacred enclosure around a tree) to "nemesis" (the ancient title for the being inhabiting a nemos) and thence to the more familiar classical concept of "nemesis" as derived from the ancient, primitive(?) resentment of any encroachment into a sacred nemos. The broad scope of his thesis (religion to philosophy) is indicated by the chapters: Destiny and Law; The Origin of Moira; Nature, God, and Soul; The Datum of Philosophy; The Scientific Tradition; the Mystical Tradition.