Early Greek Philosophy Research Articles

Early Greek Philosophy

Early Greek Philosophy

Антифонт. Фрагменты и свидетельства

Antiphon (c. 480–411 BCE) was famous in antiquity for his forensic speeches as well as more theoretical works, such as The Truth and On concord. He is also credited with the invention of logography as a profession. The majority of his heritage is now lost. The present publication contains a collection of scant doxographic evidence about Antiphon’s life and writings. The evidences are based on A. Lask and G. Most’ Early Greek Philosophy (2016).

Критика Аристотелем принципа «подобное познается подобным» (комментарий к О душе II 5 416b 32 – 417a 20)

One of the principles underlying Aristotle’s theory of sense perception is that the sense faculty is potentially such as the sensible object is actually. On closer examination, this statement turns out to be a modernization of the ancient rule "like is known by like", shared by most of the early Greek philosophers, including Empedocles and Plato. The paper shows that though Aristotle criticizes this principle in his treatise On the Soul, he doesn’t really abandon it. On the contrary, he retains it for his own theory of sense perception while using the notions of the possible and the actual. The paper is written in the form of a line-by-line commentary to De anima II 5 416b 32–417a 20, where Aristotle reproaches his predecessors for the inconsistency and contradictions of their theories; shows that the “like is known by like” principle entails certain difficulties, and solves these difficulties by introducing his own theory of being moved and acted upon, according to which the patient is in a sense unlike the agent and in a sense like it.

РАННЯ ГРЕЦЬКА ФІЛОСОФІЯ ПРО ЖІНКУ: МІЖ АПОЛОГІЄЮ ТА МІЗОГІНІЄЮ

The article provides a historical and philosophical reconstruction and a comprehensive and systematic coverage of the understanding of women in the fragments of thinkers of the pre-classical period of ancient philosophy. Preclassical ancient philosophy reflected mainly in four conceptual aspects: cosmological, embryological, misogynistic and apologetic. It is proved that in fact every of the early ancient Greek thinkers to a certain extent concerned the understanding of the phenomenon of women. It is highlighted that, based on the evidence of Akusilaus, Pythagoras and Empedocles, the phenomenon of the female arises as one of the formative factors along with the male, which implicitly speaks of the equality of both sexes in the cosmological aspect. It is substantiated that the ancient Greek preclassical embryology, although in many respects was mistaken in its views, however, these "false ideas" testified to the equality of both sexes for the emergence of a new person in the world. It was revealed that the misogynistic ideas of the early ancient thinkers were based on the fact that a woman has certain flaws, and therefore it is a big trouble if a person is under her power. Sometimes, such a vision led the philosophers of this period to have a negative attitude towards the institution of marriage. It was revealed that apologetic thinking about women were based on the fact that a woman has the right to education, training, and also that the main thing is to see in a woman not only an object of desire and a bearer of beauty, but a decent citizen who obeys power and established traditions. Preserved fragments of early Greek philosophers indicate the continuity of thought in ancient philosophy and their reception as thinkers of the classical (Plato, Aristotle) and Hellenistic (Plutarch, Simplicius, Philo) periods. The achievements of the pre-Socratics in the context of this issue also indicate that the women's issue arose from the very beginning of Western European philosophical discourse.

On the birth of the classical philosophy and the origins of the European civilization (aspects of the problem)

The article examines the birth of the Classical philosophy that simultaneously was the beginning of the European civilization. The issue has multiple aspects, especially as a lot of new studies emphasize the Eastern influence on the origins of the Classical philosophy and scholarly discussions ponder upon cultural differences and civilizational self-determination. Particular attention is paid to the characteristic of the Minoan civilization that both inherited the Eastern culture and discovered Europe. As compared to the East, Crete and Mycenae turned out to be instable social phenomena under the Aegean islandic conditions. However, the nautical piracy that could not be localized was a new cultural event demonstrated in individual behaviour and agonistic personality vividly represented in Homer’s poems. The author traces how collective spirit and mystical unity were switching to individualized behaviour and agonistic personality which lets him analyse aspects of the genesis of philosophy related to the development of lyrical poetry, legal consciousness and self-consciousness. This lets one overcome limits of the ‘physical’ interpretation of the Early Greek philosophy according to Aristotle and see a wider literary and historical context of its genesis. Self-immersion and reflections on the attitude to the world and one’s own self, to the cosmos, polis and God became foundations for the new philosophy that addressed the eternal issues of being. Human knowledge that starts with surprise, according to Aristotle, revealed new aspects of the genesis of the Greek philosophy. The issue of substance, relations between multiple things and their basis constitute the philosophical knowledge. Substantialism was the leading principle for the new philosophy that turned to explanations of the causes and gave birth to the rational knowledge and European science. The resulting philosophy is at the centre of the European cultural paradigm whose key elements are law, education, and personality.

Syncretism of myth and ratio (following the example of early Greek philosophy)

Syncretism of myth and ratio (following the example of early Greek philosophy)

Interconnectedness. The Living World of the Early Greek Philosophers

Interconnectedness. The Living World of the Early Greek Philosophers

EPIMENIDES VS EMPEDOCLES: how early greek philosophers fought еpidemics

The article attempts to highlight the development of the unity of medicine and philosophy in the context of combating epidemics of two early Greek thinkers Epimenides and Empedocles. The idea that Epimenides adheres to the divine origin of the disease is justified, but at the same time, in the process of ritual purification from the plague, it attracts elements of the Pythagorean view of healing, as well as close to Indo-Iranian traditions of the time. It is proved that in the course of the development of ancient thought, the view of the disease also evolves “from myth to logos”, which leads to the understanding of this phenomenon in Empedocles as an ontological problem. Accordingly, it has been established that, for the Sicilian philosopher, mass diseases (epidemics) are caused primarily by the fact that he is more prevalent in the world. If the society is engulfed by hatred and malice, then diseases will inevitably emerge and increase. Instead, overcoming and disappearing of epidemics are possible because peace and harmony between people will prevail. The author substantiates the thesis that helping residents to overcome epidemics in various ancient cities, testifies to the great importance of the early Greek thinkers, who combined not only reflection but also praxis.

Aristotle, Isocrates, and Philosophical Progress

Abstract In fragments of the lost Protrepticus, preserved in Iamblichus, Aristotle responds to Isocrates’ worries about the excessive demandingness of theoretical philosophy. Contrary to Isocrates, Aristotle holds that such philosophy is generally feasible for human beings. In defense of this claim, Aristotle offers the progress argument, which appeals to early Greek philosophers’ rapid success in attaining exact understanding. In this paper, I explore and evaluate this argument. After making clarificatory exegetical points, I examine the argument’s premises in light of pressing worries that the argument reasonably faces in its immediate intellectual context, the dispute between Isocrates and Aristotle. I also relate the argument to modern concerns about philosophical progress. I contend that the argument withstands these worries, and thereby constitutes a reasonable Aristotelian response to the Isocratean challenge.

Понятия χάος, ἀρχή, τo ἄπειρον и формирование апофатического дискурса в ранней греческой философии

The paper deals with the apophatic discourse formation in the history of Greek philosophy. The issue of the beginning of negativity is considered. The study highlights the variability of possible answers to this question. The authors of the paper suggest that the beginning of this theme is found at the stage of transition from pre-philosophy to philosophy. The emphasis is on three concepts of early Greek philosophy – Chaos, Arche, Apeiron. In Hesiod’s teachings, Chaos can be interpreted as a pre-philosophical analog of the negative beginning. In the Milesian school, the idea of Arche is formed. Water and air are considered as positive principles. A special place is occupied by the doctrine of Anaximander about Apeiron, which can be represented as the “sublation” of the contradiction between Chaos containing negative characteristics and the positive Original.

Идея космической рациональности как направляющий вектор духовно-нравственного становления личности

The article attempts to reconstruct the idea of cosmic rationality, the origins of which lie in the ancient philosophical tradition. Referring to the thought of the early Greek philosophers, the author demonstrates the formation of the concepts "cosmos" and "techne" in the context of the transition from myth to logos. Cosmocentrism finds its complete integrity in Plato's philosophical system, which, in turn, forms the idea of cosmic rationality as such. The original revision of the Platonic concept allows us to find guidelines for the spiritual and moral growth of the individual, which remain relevant in the modern era.

The creative process explored: artists’ views and reflections

The creative process continues to occupy the minds of countless philosophers, psychologists and academics. While it is relevant to a range of fields of practice, artists who enact the creative process have attracted attention as far back as the early Greek philosophers Aristotle and Plato. Since that time there have been numerous theories as to the stages involved in the creative process, with recent research arguing that to date, there is still no consensus as to how to best understand or develop a model relevant to artists. In order to contribute to the discourse, this paper focuses on 339 artists from a range of disciplines and countries who voluntarily completed a survey inviting them to consider various aspects of their creative process. The findings reveal that it is complex in nature, and that it involves a range of factors, both internal and external. While internal factors such as inspiration, experimentation and sustained effort feature strongly, external factors such as the work of peers and audiences have a significant role to play. For some artists, there is also recognition of a divine influence on their process. While this research reveals a range of insights into the creative process as applied to artists, it also highlights the potential for numerous areas of inquiry in order to further understand this complex area of practice.

Thomas Aquinas and Irenaeus on the Divine and Natural Law

Thomas’s account of the natural law owes a large debt to Aristotle and other early Greek philosophers back to Heraclitus. This debt has long been known and discussed. Largely unrecognized, however, are the crucial influences of the early Greek Fathers of the Church who mediated this classical philosophical heritage to the Christian world. They were the first to set out the relationship between the natural law, the Old Law, and grace which would have a decisive influence on Aquinas’s famous “treatise on law” in the Summa of Theology. In this paper, I analyze Thomas’s mature work on the natural law in STh I–II, qq. 90–108 and show how the roots of this view can be traced to the earliest Church, especially in the writings of the second century bishop and martyr, St. Irenaeus of Lyons. Of special interest is how Irenaeus transformed the Greek-Aristotelian notion of physis and “natural law” within the context of his discussion of the goodness of creation and the Mosaic Law, contrary to the popular Gnostic views of his day.

Горгий Леонтийский. Фрагменты и свидетельства

Gorgias (483–375 BCE), a famous Ancient Greek philosopher and orator. According to ancient testimonies he was praised for his eloquence and published numerous literary works, but very little is preserved. The present publication contains a collection of scant doxographic evidence about Gorgias’ life and writings and a translation of two his extant speeches The Encomium on Helen and the Apologia of Palamedes. The evidences are based on A. Laks and G. Most’ Early Greek Philosophy (2016).

Протагор из Абдер. Фрагменты и свидетельства

Protagoras of Abdera (c. 490–c. 420 BCE), a Greek philosopher, famous for his invention of sophistry as a profession. According to ancient testimonies he published some literary works, but nothing is preserved. The present publication contains a collection of scant doxographic evidence about Protagoras’ life and writings. The evidences are based on A. Lask and G. Most’ Early Greek Philosophy (2016).

Cultivating a Good Life in Early Chinese and Ancient Greek Philosophy: Perspectives and Reverberations ed. by Karyn Lai, Rick Benitez and Hyun Jin Kim

Cultivating a Good Life in Early Chinese and Ancient Greek Philosophy: Perspectives and Reverberations ed. by Karyn Lai, Rick Benitez and Hyun Jin Kim

Forgetting to Re-member: Politics of Amnesia and the Reconstruction of Memory in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Everything Is Illuminated and Memento

Abstract This essay aims to discuss the ideological aspects of memory loss as a reconstruction of personal and collective memory with reference to several Hollywood movies, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Memento and Everything Is Illuminated. The essay explores the construction of memory within a network of power relations and the profound influence that the reproduction of memory has on the embodiment of personal identities. The unreliability of human memory has been a major issue in philosophical debates and works of art from early Greek philosophy to cyberpunk novels. Memory studies draw on a wide range of academic fields varying from neuroscience to political science, with an emphasis on prosthetic memories, identity and body politics, displaced cultural identities, and consumer culture. Often intermingled with collective narratives, memory is an ideological artifact or rather a form of language that can be institutionally manipulated or manufactured. The mass production of personal and collective memories further deprives human beings of control over their personal histories and identity constructions. In this regard, this article elaborates the formation, reinforcement, and reconstruction of memory in contemporary culture with particular references to the inclusion of hegemony, cultural politics, and identity politics in selected movies.

Jaap Mansfeld, Studies in early Greek philosophy : a collection of papers and one review

Jaap Mansfeld (M.) a rassemble dans ce livre dix-neuf articles, parmi lesquels une (longue) recension, qui portent tous sur les penseurs preplatoniciens et leur interpretation. La plupart des travaux selectionnes sont recents, puisqu’a l’exception de deux d’entre eux, ils ont tous ete publies apres 2004. Ils sont reproduits avec la pagination d’origine indiquee en marge et peu de modifications : une partie du chapitre 19 a ete enlevee pour eviter des redondances avec le chapitre 3, et des add...

Philosophy

Maria Michela Sassi's masterful 2009 volume on the origins and nature of early Greek philosophy is now available in an updated English translation. Sassi's aim is not to provide a primer of the views of individual thinkers. Rather, she seeks to scrutinize what sense we can make of attempts to unravel the ‘origins’ of philosophy. Her work is useful not only for its wide-ranging assessment of the evidence, including that from beyond the central Mediterranean, but also for its careful engagement with central works of scholarship. Sassi seeks to defend the inherently ‘philosophical’ nature of those who presented their views about the nature of the cosmos (and more), prior to the efforts of Plato and Aristotle to establish the identity of philosophy itself. She is particularly keen to defend the value of Aristotle's account of his predecessors against those who are too hasty to dismiss it as self-serving. For her, ‘Aristotle's exposition [of the beginnings of philosophy] is fundamentally correct’ (xv), and she makes a persuasive and engaging case for this point, working with a conception of philosophy as characterized by a particular kind of critical attitude towards explanations.

Revisiting Aspect and Aktionsart: A Corpus Approach to Koine Greek Event Typology

<i>Revisiting Aspect and</i> Aktionsart<i>: A Corpus Approach to Koine Greek Event Typology</i>