Luis E. Navia

A scholar of ancient Greek philosophy, Navia contributes to the immense body of commentary about Socrates with this tour of the historical man-about-Athens. All of the material about Socrates derives from four works that survived the wreck of Greco-Roman civilization: Aristophanes' comedy Clouds; Xenophon's dialogues; Plato's dialogues; and Aristotle's tracts.... Quoting extensively from these writers' works, Navia shows where biographical agreement exists and where inference and speculation begin, as in the story of the oracle of Delphi proclaiming Socrates the wisest of men. An assessment of Socrates' essential philosophical precepts culminates Navia's pursuit of the living Socrates, and his hunt could attract readers with a Platonic dialogue or two under their belts.-Booklist[A] vivid account of Socrates's life and ideas....The carefully documented research provides a valuable resource for those interested in the man and his ideas. Students researching philosophy will benefit from the author's accessible connections between the beliefs of Socrates and those of many modern thinkers.-School Library JournalOne of the most influential thinkers in the history of the West was Socrates of Athens (469-399 BCE). Literally, thousands of books and other works of art have been devoted to him, yet his character and the tenets of his philosophy remain elusive. Even his contemporaries had very different impressions of him, and since he himself left no writings to posterity, we can only wonder: Who was this man really? What ideas and ideals can be truthfully associated with him? What is the basis for the extraordinary influence he has exerted throughout history?Philosopher Luis E. Navia presents a compelling portrayal of Socrates in this very readable and well-researched book, which is both a biography of the man and an exploration of his ideas. Through a critical and documented study of the major ancient sources about Socrates - in the writings of Aristophanes, Xenophon, Plato, and Aristotle - Navia reconstructs a surprisingly consistent portrait of this enigmatic philosopher. He links Socrates' conviction that the unexamined life is not worth living with Immanuel Kant's later concept of an innate moral imperative as the only meaningful purpose of human existence. He highlights Socrates' unrelenting search for the essence and value of the soul as that aspect of his philosophical journey that animated and structured all his activities. Navia also considers Socrates' relationship with the Sophists, his stance vis-à-vis the religious beliefs and practices of his time, his view of the relationship between legality and morality, and the function of language in human life. Finally, he eloquently captures the Socratic legacy, which, more than twenty-four centuries after his death, is still so urgently relevant today.Navia brings to life this perennially important philosopher, illuminating the relevance of his ideas for our modern world.Luis E. Navia (Westbury, NY), professor of philosophy and chair of the Social Sciences Department at New York Institute of Technology, is the author of many books on ancient philosophy, including Socratic Testimonies, Antisthenes of Athens, and The Adventure of Philosophy.

A Life Examined

Socrates

For over eight hundred years, philosophers-men and women-who called themselves Cynics, literally dogs in their language, roamed the streets and byways of the Hellenistic world, teaching strange ideas and practicing a bizarre way of life. Among them, the most important and distinctive was Diogenes of Sinope, who became the archetype of Classical Cynicism. In this comprehensive, thoroughly researched, and engaging book, philosopher Luis E. Navia undertakes the task of reconstructing Diogenes' life and extracting from him lessons that are valuable in our time.The book is divided into five chapters. Chapter 1 provides a biographical sketch of Diogenes constructed on the basis of ancient testimonies. In Chapter 2, the practice of Cynicism, as exemplified by Diogenes, is elucidated. This war against the world, as Navia describes it, especially the rhetoric of Cynicism, was the primary medium used by the Cynics to convey their message. Chapter 3 clarifies the roots and basis of the Cynic metamorphosis, that is, the process by which Diogenes transformed himself into a dog. This process involves complex psychological, sociological, and philosophical factors, chief among which was Socrates' influence on Diogenes through the agency of Antisthenes. Chapter 4 reconstructs the philosophy of Diogenes by identifying twelve principles of his thought. In Chapter 5, the influence of Diogenes is discussed. Navia emphasizes the vast difference between Diogenes' ideas and style of life on the one hand and, on the other, what is nowadays called cynicism.The book provides abundant references to ancient testimonies and modern scholarship. It includes an extensively annotated translation of Diogenes Laertius's biography of Diogenes and a comprehensive bibliography.Luis E. Navia (Westbury, NY), professor of philosophy and chair of the Social Sciences Department at New York Institute of Technology, is the author of many books on ancient philosophy, including Socratic Testimonies, Antisthenes of Athens, and The Adventure of Philosophy.

The War Against the World

Diogenes the Cynic

Presents a biographical sketch of the Greek philosopher Diogenes (c. 320 B.C.), provided as a part of the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Notes that Diogenes was a Cynic philosopher who renounced riches and honors.

The Man in the Tub

Diogenes of Sinope

Nicholas Capaldi

Eugene Kelly

When Journeys Through Philosophy first appeared in 1977, it quickly established a reputation as one of the most complete and versatile introductory philosophy textbooks for the beginning student. Combining carefully chosen selections from the original works of many eminent philosophers with invaluable commentaries designed to illuminate the ideas of these great minds, and an extensive section on how one should read philosophy, the editors have answered the instructional needs of students and teachers alike. The revised edition contains selections by Denis Diderot, Kierkegaard, Irving Kristol, Paul Kurtz, George Moore, William Paley, Jean-Paul Sarte, and John Wisdom, in addition to many of the excerpts from classical and contemporary thinkers found in the earlier edition. The highly acclaimed section on how to read philosophy is complemented by the addition of new introductions. Journeys Through Philosophy is surely destined to become the introductory philosophy textbook for our times.

A Classical Introduction

Journeys Through Philosophy

The War Against The World

Diogenes The Cynic

Examines the history of classical Cynicism from its beginning in the Socratic circle to its extinction in late Roman times.

A Critical Study

Classical Cynicism

Socratic Testimonies offers a well-structured introduction to the study of Socrates by way of exploring some of the main writings about him from Aristophanes, Xenophon, and Plato. In this second edition, the translations have been revised and annotated by the author. An extensive bibliography of modern works on Socrates is included. The selections are accompanied by extensive and detailed annotations that clarify names and terms with which the reader many not be familiar. Intended as an introductory text for undergraduate students, Socratic Testimonies will help students gain an appreciation of the importance of the philosophical legacy and traditions associated with Socrates.

Luis E. Navia

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