The Lives and Opinions of Eminent PhilosophersDiogenes Laertius
Philosophy
The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers
Diogenes Laertius
Philosophers, Ancient -- Biography; Philosophy, Ancient
XIII. These then are the books which were written by him. And in them
he expresses the following opinions:—that there is in philosophy a
two-fold division; one practical, and the other theoretical. Again, the
practical is divided into ethical and political, under which last head
are comprised considerations affecting not only the state, but also the
management, of a single house. The theoretical part, too, is subdivided
into physics and logic; the latter forming not a single division,
turning on one special point, but being rather an instrument for every
art brought to a high degree of accuracy. And he has laid down two
separate objects as what it is conversant about, the persuasive and the
true. And he has used two means with reference to each end; dialectics
and rhetoric, with reference to persuasion; analytical examination and
philosophy, with reference to truth; omitting nothing which can bear
upon discovery, or judgment, or use. Accordingly, with reference to
discovery, he has furnished us with topics and works on method, which
form a complete armoury of propositions, from which it is easy to provide
one’s self with an abundance of probable arguments for every kind of
question. And with reference to judgment, he has given us the former and
posterior analytics; and by means of the former analytics, we may arrive
at a critical examination of principles; by means of the posterior, we
may examine the conclusions which are deduced from them. With reference
to the use or application of his rules, he has given us works on
discussion, on question, on disputation, on sophistical refutation, on
syllogism, and on things of that sort.
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