Classical Thought (A History of Western Philosophy)
Irwin has written an extremely useful survey of classical philosophy from Homer to Augustine. There are chapters on the Homeric background; the "Presocratics," including writers (e.g., Herodotus, Aeschylus, Thucydides) not usually counted as philosophers; Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle; Epicureanism; Stoicism; Plotinus; and Christianity. The treatment is thematic, critical, and selective (there is no discussion, e.g., of Pythagoras, Parmenides, Zeno, or Empedocles). Philosophical material is often helpfully related to its historical background. Although this book is written for beginners, anyone interested in ancient thought will find it worth reading. Richard Hogan, Southeastern Massachusetts Univ., North DartmouthCopyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.