A Short History of Greek PhilosophyMarshall, J. (John)
Philosophy
A Short History of Greek Philosophy
Marshall, J. (John)
Philosophy, Ancient
The only effective philosophies for such a community were those which
regarded man as an _individual_, with a world politically omnipotent
hedging him about, and driving him in upon himself. Thus the New
Academy enlarged on the doubtfulness of all beyond the individual
consciousness; Stoicism insisted on individual dutifulness,
Epicureanism on individual self-satisfaction. The first sought to make
life worth living through culture, the second through indifference, the
third through a moderate enjoyment. But all alike felt themselves very
helpless in face of the growing sadness of life, in face of the
deepening mystery of the world beyond. All alike were controversial,
and quick enough to ridicule their rivals; none was hopefully
constructive, or (unless in the poetic enthusiasm of a Lucretius) very
confident of the adequacy of its own conceptions. They all rather
quickened the sense of emptiness in human existence, than satisfied it;
{244} at the best they enabled men to "absent themselves a little while
from the felicity of death."
Thus all over the wide area of Greek and Roman civilisation, the
activity of the later schools was effectual to familiarise humanity
with the language of philosophy, and to convince humanity of the
inadequacy of its results. Both of these things the Greeks taught to
Saul of Tarsus; at a higher Source he found the satisfying of his soul;
but from the Greek philosophies he learned the language through which
the new Revelation was to be taught in the great world of Roman rule
and Grecian culture. And thus through the Pauline theology, Greek
philosophy had its part in the moral regeneration of the world; as it
has had, in later times, in every emancipation and renascence of its
thought.
{245}
INDEX
Abdera, birthplace of Democritus, 74; of Protagoras, 86
Absolute knowledge, unattainable by man, 19; absorption in, 133; no
separate existence, 182
Abstract ideas not derivable from experience, 45; abstract truth
impossible, 87; of no value, 132; revival of, 133
Academus, grove of, 135
Achilles and tortoise, 44; death of, 139
Acroatic, kind of lectures, 175
Actuality, see _Realisation_.
Agrigentum, birthplace of Empedocles, 59
Air, beginning of things, 14
Alcestis, referred to, 139
Alcibiades, dialogue, 137
Alexander, relations with Aristotle, 174; influence of conquests of, 242
Anarchy, in politics and in philosophy, 83; reaction against, by
Socrates, 102
Anaxagoras, 52; relation of Empedocles to, 62; quoted by Aristotle, 200
Anaximander, 7
Anaximenes, 14
Anthropomorphism, criticised, 32
Antigonus, friend of Zeno, 229
Antisthenes, 128
Apology, dialogue, 136
Appetite, the only reality, 96
Archilochus, criticised by Heraclitus, 16
Aristippus, 124
Aristocracy, in politics and in philosophy, 82
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account