Review by Choice Review
A rather breezy survey of ancient philosophy with chapters on the Presocratics, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and the Hellenistic philosophers. The freshest and most interesting aspect of the book is the plentiful reference to many contemporary philosophers, largely in the analytical tradition, who also deal with the issue discussed; thus the contemporary relevance of ancient philosophy is demonstrated. The book, in the mode of introductory lectures, will be useful for beginners but it is clearly a survey with rather abrupt concluding summaries. The strategy works, although one may prefer the more engaged work of Terence Irwin, Classical Thought (CH, Jul'89). The bibliography is excellent; the notes and index are brief but useful. A desirable acquisition for undergraduate libraries. -N. A. Greenberg, Oberlin College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
