The Ancient Commentators on Plato and Aristotle (Ancient Philosophies) - Hardcover

Tuominen, Miira

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1844651622 ISBN 13: 9781844651627

Publisher: Routledge, 2009

Synopsis

In late antiquity the works of Plato and Aristotle were subject to intense study, which eventually led to the development of a new literary form, the philosophical commentary. Until recently these commentaries were understood chiefly as sources of information for the masters - Plato and Aristotle - they commented upon. However, in recent years, it has become increasingly acknowledged that the commentators themselves - Aspasius, Alexander, Themistius, Porphyry, Proclus, Philoponus, Simplicius and others - even though they worked in the Platonist - Aristotelian framework, contributed to this tradition in original, innovative and significant ways such that their commentaries are philosophically important sources in their own right. This book provides the first systematic introduction to the 'philosophy' of the commentators: their way of doing philosophy and the kind of philosophical problems they found interesting.Although there was no philosophy of the commentators in the sense of a definite set of doctrines, Tuominen shows how the commentary format was nevertheless a vehicle for original philosophical theorizing and argues convincingly that the commentators should take their place alongside other philosophers of antiquity in the history of western philosophy.

About this title

Review

"The book makes accessible five centuries of philosophical thinking, identifies with crystal clarity the philosophical problems that concerned the commentators and discusses them with historical accuracy and philosophical sophistication. It will be indispensable to all students of ancient philosophy." --George Karamanolis, University of Crete

"A welcome introduction to the ancient commentators that suits its intended student audience very well. A great starting-point to learn about the philosophical thought of late antiquity." --Han Baltussen, University of Adelaide

About the Author

Miira Tuominen is is a postdoctoral researcher in the department of philosophy at the University of Helsinki.

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1844651622
• ISBN 13: 9781844651627
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 256