Review by Choice Review
In this fascinating survey of Hellenistic philosophy, Sellars (Royal Holloway, Univ. of London, UK) brings together the Stoics, Epicureans, Cynics, Pyrrhonians, Academics, and Peripatetics in lively conversations on knowledge, nature, the self, the good, free will, finitude, community, and the nature of philosophy. Using this thematic arrangement, Sellars brings the debates of this fascinating and cosmopolitan period in history to life--as a summary of these schools of thought would not--and makes apparent the continued relevance of these arguments and thinkers. The author appropriately emphasizes that Hellenic and Hellenistic philosophy, much like Buddhist philosophy, is not solely about the pursuit of knowledge; it is also about how to live a good life and so has a therapeutic effect. In other words, philosophy was lived, not just studied. The philosophy of the Hellenistic period--from the death of Alexander the Great through Cicero--has largely been neglected in recent years. This important work makes a compelling case for the value of Hellenistic philosophy and, in particular, for a reappraisal of the value of Cicero as both a scholiast and a philosopher in his own right. Sellars concludes by calling for scholars to begin investigating Indo-Greek philosophy as part of Hellenistic philosophy, a welcome suggestion. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty. --Gwendolyn Jayne Reece, American University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
