Encyclopedia of Classical Philosophy - by Donald Zeyl (Hardcover)

About the Book

The only encyclopedia in English specific to the field of Classical Philosophy, this work presents 270 articles on major and minor figures and on topics of importance to the philosophy of Greek and Roman antiquity. The articles present not only succinct historical accounts of their subject matter, but they introduce readers to issues of interpretation and debate in the contemporary scholarly study of the philosophy of the Classical period. Scholars, students, and interested lay persons will find this volume useful in gaining a comprehensive view of the field. The contributors, representing three continents, are themselves leading scholars of international stature.

Topical articles survey areas traditional to philosophy, such as epistemology, ethics, philosophy of mind, and political thought. Some topical articles focus on specific philosophical concepts and related problems, surveying discussion and debate among the ancient thinkers from the Presocratics to the Neoplatonists. Other articles trace the history of philosophical schools; still others focus on disciplines now distinguished from philosophy, such as science, mathematics, and medicine. The majority of the articles, however, focus on individual thinkers and their contributions to the traditions of philosophical thought in antiquity.

Book Synopsis

The only encyclopedia in English specific to the field of Classical Philosophy, this work presents 270 articles on major and minor figures and on topics of importance to the philosophy of Greek and Roman antiquity. The articles present not only succinct historical accounts of their subject matter, but they introduce readers to issues of interpretation and debate in the contemporary scholarly study of the philosophy of the Classical period. Scholars, students, and interested lay persons will find this volume useful in gaining a comprehensive view of the field. The contributors, representing three continents, are themselves leading scholars of international stature.

Topical articles survey areas traditional to philosophy, such as epistemology, ethics, philosophy of mind, and political thought. Some topical articles focus on specific philosophical concepts and related problems, surveying discussion and debate among the ancient thinkers from the Presocratics to the Neoplatonists. Other articles trace the history of philosophical schools; still others focus on disciplines now distinguished from philosophy, such as science, mathematics, and medicine. The majority of the articles, however, focus on individual thinkers and their contributions to the traditions of philosophical thought in antiquity.

Review Quotes

"[A] massive source of reliable information concerning the whole range of ancient philosophy, from Presocratic authors...down to the latest Neoplatonists....This will serve as an outstanding reference work for an accurate summary of up-to-date scholarship in ancient philosophy."-Charles H. Kahn Professor of Philosophy University of Pennsylvania

"This is a major achievement, which will be an indispensable point of reference for scholars, teachers, and students. The contributors are among the very best people in the subject, and they are working at the top of their form. The volume is exhaustive in coverage, lucid and accessible in style. Specialists will learn new things from it, and beginners will find it a friendly guide."-Martha Nussbaum Ernst Freund Professor of Law and Ethics The Law School, Department of Philosophy and the Divinity School University of Chicago

"This [book] will be useful for any student interested in ancient philosophy, who will be pointed in the right direction by the experts, but it will also be the most useful work for a non-specialist to consult, far more useful than the very abbreviated entries on these topics in more general encyclopedias."-Julia Annas Professor of Philosophy The University of Arizona

?[An] intellectually excellent work... Destined without doubt or qualification to be a standard reference.?-Choice

?This book is one I have wanted to read for a long time. It is an extremely valuable and useful tool for historical study and teaching....For anyone who is interested in or teaches philosophy, this is the book to have on the ancients--everything you always wanted to know but didn't know where to look.?-Christian Library Journal

?This encyclopedia fills a void in philosophical reference works that has existed for far too long, and it will likely become a standard in the field. At present no encyclopedia in print in English adequately surveys the philosophy of Greek and Roman antiquity, and editor Zeyl has taken great pains to ensure that the coverage of topics and individuals is complete, resulting in a very substantial work....a very high quality of writing; topics and individuals are clearly and readably presented, and even a novice should come away with a much better understanding of subjects referenced....Recommended for all libraries with collections in classical philosophy.?-Library Journal

"ÝAn¨ intellectually excellent work... Destined without doubt or qualification to be a standard reference."-Choice

"[An] intellectually excellent work... Destined without doubt or qualification to be a standard reference."-Choice

"This book is one I have wanted to read for a long time. It is an extremely valuable and useful tool for historical study and teaching....For anyone who is interested in or teaches philosophy, this is the book to have on the ancients--everything you always wanted to know but didn't know where to look."-Christian Library Journal

"This encyclopedia fills a void in philosophical reference works that has existed for far too long, and it will likely become a standard in the field. At present no encyclopedia in print in English adequately surveys the philosophy of Greek and Roman antiquity, and editor Zeyl has taken great pains to ensure that the coverage of topics and individuals is complete, resulting in a very substantial work....a very high quality of writing; topics and individuals are clearly and readably presented, and even a novice should come away with a much better understanding of subjects referenced....Recommended for all libraries with collections in classical philosophy."-Library Journal

About the Author

DONALD J. ZEYL is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Rhode Island. He has published several articles on Socratic moral theory and is the translator of Plato's Gorgias and Timaeus. His teaching interests are in ancient philosophy and the philosophy of religion.