Ancient Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction

by Annas, Julia

• ISBN13: 9780192853578
• ISBN10: 0192853570
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-01-18
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Oxford's Very Short Introductions series offers concise and original introductions to a wide range of subjects -- from Islam to Sociology, Literary Theory to History, and Archaeology to the Bible. Not simply a textbook of definitions, each volume provides trenchant and provocative -- yet always balanced and complete -- discussions of the central issues in a given discipline or field. Every Very Short Introduction gives a readable evolution of the subject in question, demonstrating how the subject developed and how it influenced society. Eventually, the series will encompass every major academic discipline, offering all readers an accessible and abundant reference library. Whatever area of study one deems important or appealing, whatever topic fascinates the general reader, the Very Short Introductions series has a handy and affordable guide that will likely prove indispensable.Niccolo Machiavelli taught that political leaders must be prepared to do evil that good may come of it, and his name has been a byword ever since for duplicity and immorality. Is his sinister reputation deserved? In answering this question Quentin Skinner focuses on three major works, The Prince, the Discourses, and The History of Florence, and distills from them an introduction to Machiavelli of exemplary clarity.

Author Biography

Julia Annas is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Arizona and author of several books for OUP, including An Introduction to Platos Republic and The Morality of Happiness. She is also series editor for the Oxford Studies in Ancient Philosophy.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations	viii
Introduction	ix
Humans and beasts: understanding ourselves	1	(17)
Why do we read Plato's Republic?	18	(18)
The happy life, ancient and modern	36	(19)
Reason, knowledge and scepticism	55	(20)
Logic and reality	75	(19)
When did it all begin? (and what is it anyway?)	94	(19)
Timeline	113	(2)
Further Reading	115	(2)
Notes	117	(4)
Index	121