A comprehensive yet accessible survey of ancient philosophy, covering Greek, Roman, and early Judeo-Christian philosophy, ideal for introductory courses in the ancient roots of modern worldviews

Part of the popular Fundamentals of Philosophy series, Ancient Philosophy is an ideal resource for beginning students as well as for advanced students wishing to hone their understanding of the philosophies of the ancient world. Clear and engaging, this book covers a representative selection of major ancient thinkers, movements, and schools of thought, including the Sophists and other significant Presocratics, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Hellenistic philosophy, the Stoics, the Skeptics, and early Judeo-Christian philosophy up to Augustine. Written by a prominent scholar and author in ancient philosophy studies, this book: 

• Provides an overview of important issues in the study of the philosophies of the ancient world
• Explores the relevance of the theories of ancient thinkers to the modern world
• Charts the progression in the ancient world from worldviews based in mythology to systems of thought based on the analysis of evidence
• Presents up-to-date scholarship as well as historical material from ancient sources
• Assumes no prior knowledge of philosophy and examines all arguments carefully and sequentially

Philosophy in the ancient world began without technicalities, abstractions, or specialized vocabulary. Launching the earliest scientific inquires and proposing the earliest Western ideas about art, religion, politics, and society, Greek and Roman philosophers re-envisioned the world around them and their place in that world, seeking to impose intelligent order on chaos and to practice philosophy as a way of life. Eventually, Judeo-Christian thinkers merged these philosophical approaches with their own religious beliefs, generating new ideas about virtue, morality, human nature, theology, and metaphysics—ideas which would fundamentally shape the trajectory of Western thought and which still influence modern notions about the soul, the world, and the good life.

Ancient Philosophy: The Fundamentals covers the rich history of Western intellectual tradition from its beginnings in the sixth century BCE to its culmination in the fifth century CE, providing students with an accessible, reader-friendly survey of philosophy in antiquity. Assuming no prior familiarity with philosophy, Graham narrates the origin story of Western philosophy, following the major movements while introducing methods of philosophical analysis, including the logical analysis of arguments and the examination of thinkers' presuppositions. This book explores developing conceptions of the world and people's place in it, including questions of knowledge, reality, and ethics, and shows how the theories of ancient thinkers are relevant to today's world. Clear and evocative chapters make connections among major figures and invite readers into dialogue with the ancients.

Part of the popular Fundamentals of Philosophy series, Ancient Philosophy: The Fundamentals is a concise, single-volume study that reveals the dynamism of ancient thought, providing an invigorating resource for beginning students while offering the scholarly tools for advanced students and professional philosophers who wish to deepen their understanding of the this important area of philosophy.