Philosophy Before Socrates: An Introduction with Texts and Commentary

With this second edition of "Philosophy Before Socrates", Richard McKirahan provides a clear, insightful introduction to a world in transition. As the Greeks adapted the phonetic alphabet to fit a culture that would become famous for asking tough questions, they created a wonderful, if now patchy, legacy. McKirahan provides careful, modern translations of the surviving fragments of sixth- and fifth-century texts and near-contemporary testimonia, followed by his own explanations of the context and interpretation of their meanings. He includes extensive comments from other philosophers and historians, providing the reader with some of the arguments that continue to frame these topics. McKirahan treats the pre-classical thinkers with care to examine their contributions to mankind's move from pieties and proverbs to beliefs grounded empirically in a domain where argument and proof became the foundation for reason.In a way similar to examining the images found in Chauvet Cave and realizing that the figures are not the stumbling, primitive work of some guy with a chunk of charcoal, confronting ideas captured in these ancient Greek texts brings surprises. Well before Socrates' search for a good life we encounter the quest for justice and meaning in the natural universe, a world seen to lie outside the reach of immoral, petty Olympians. We encounter Xenophanes struggling with the distinction between knowledge and belief, and Parmenides developing deductive argument as he examines the possibility that our senses provide a reliable means of accessing truth. Although writers like Philolaus and the men who came to be derided as Sophists were not strictly pre-Socratic, McKirahan includes chapters to extend the world up to the gates of Athens and Plato."Philosophy Before Socrates" is likely most used with college introductory courses, but should be a help to anyone interested in ancient religion, philosophy, or natural science. The clarity of McKirahan's translations and the context he provides for understanding the strengths and the limitations found in these early writings prove exceptional in bringing the period to life.

This is a truly excellent and comprehensive work on "Philosophy before Socrates". There are scores of texts on this particular period of Western thought, but this one really stands out for its deep learning and clear presentation. As the title makes clear, the text is not only a wonderful compendium of primary source material, but is supplemented with a thoughtful commentary on the texts themselves - and when it comes to this period of thought where all we have are fragments and incomplete or obscure passages, such commentary cannot be overvalued. This book should be a part of every library of those interested in Greek thought...period. This book, in my opinion, works well with other shorter, "big picture", works like that of Cornford's, Before and After Socrates, & Guthrie's, The Greek Philosophers.

Outstanding survey of Presocratic thought and philosophy. Each major figure introduced through their surviving fragments and doxographic record. Discussion of each gave me a thorough understanding of their primary contributions and how they were similar and/or different from their predecessors. I read two other books on the same subject, Barnes' "The Presocratic Philosophers" and Kirk & Raven's "The Presocratic Philosophers" (1st ed), but McKirahan's is the one that I will return to repeatedly to refresh my memory.

An excellent and winding trail of pre-Socratic thought.Thoroughly enjoyed it .Well documented with aRich narrative

GREAT REFERENCE WORK. MANY MORE SUCH REFERENCE BOOKS SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE, AND UNIVERSITY POST GRADUATE STUDENTS.

great