From the Beginning to Plato: The Routledge History of Philosophy (10 Volumes). Volume 1

Author: Taylor
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2003-09-01
Features: The Routledge History of Philosophy provides a chronological examination of Western philosophy from the 6th century BC to the present. It thoroughly discusses all significant developments in philosophy and dedicates substantial space to widely recognized great philosophers. However, smaller figures are not overlooked; this ten-volume history includes essential and key information about every important philosopher, past and present. These philosophers are explicitly placed within the cultural, particularly scientific, context of their time. This History of Philosophy is intended not only for experts but also for students and general readers. Each chapter is written in an accessible style, with each author being an acknowledged expert in their field. The 130+ contributors come from renowned universities and research institutions in over ten countries, including the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, and Israel. Each chapter is followed by a comprehensive bibliography for further study. There is a detailed timeline of major philosophical events covering the entire history of Western philosophy from the 8th century BC to 1993, along with a glossary of technical terms and indexes of literature, themes, and names. This book represents the highest academic level in the field of the history of philosophy today.
The Routledge History of Philosophy, Volume 1 covers one of the most glorious periods in human philosophical history. Over two and a half centuries, philosophy evolved from a mindset similar to mythology to a state where people actively explore the most fundamental questions about the universe, the spirit, and human behavior, and have produced many of the most profound works in the history of thought. These chapters present the fundamental methods of Greek philosophy and the views of its most important thinkers in chronological order. Each chapter is written by an authority in the field and examines a vast number of works on Platonic and pre-Platonic philosophy published in the past few decades. All are written in an accessible manner, meeting the needs of non-specialists while maintaining academic precision. The topics range from the early Greek emphasis on speculative thinking and its cultural and social background to the Sophists and Socrates, concluding with three chapters on Plato’s enduring contributions to all core areas of philosophy. The book includes a timeline, a glossary, and an extensive bibliography. This volume proves to be a highly valuable and comprehensive guide to the origins of philosophy.