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Questions tagged [ancient-philosophy]

Ancient philosophy consists, at least in the west, of the work by philosophers before around ~480 CE.

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0 answers
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What does Socrates mean by not reusing his initial objection to Cephalus’s definition of Justice to object to Polemarchus’s definition?

Plato’s Republic Book 1 331 C: Socrates says that if we return a weapon given to us by a sane friend who has since then turned insane, we are not being just. Polemarchus then defines Justice as the ...
Matt Harper's user avatar
5 votes
7 answers
2k views

The older, the smarter. Is the wisdom of time a scientifically proven fact or just human prejudices?

For example, physicists, engineers, computer scientists don't care much about ancient studies and don't mind throwing away older theories and research. Yet, in philosophy and religious studies, we ...
TheMatrix Equation-balance's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
44 views

Where in Aristotle's Metaphysics is Aquinas citing his claim about "two sorts of operations"?

In the beginning of book II of Aquinas's Summa Contra Gentiles, Aquinas writes Now the operation of a thing is twofold, as the Philosopher teaches in 9 Metaphysics ... A footnote is provided which ...
Doubt's user avatar
  • 388
11 votes
2 answers
1k views

How should I pronounce words from Ancient Greek philosophy?

A somewhat unusual question here. Naturally, while reading through Ancient Greek philosophy, I've encountered many Ancient Greek words like παιδεία, οὐσία, as well as sentences like 'πάντες ἄνθρωποι ...
John Smith's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
149 views

According to Aristotle, do all substances have final causes?

I know that in order to know something, in some cases we don't necessarily need to know its final cause, because sometimes the efficient cause might be enough to give a full explanation. But I wonder ...
Frank Booth's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
46 views

Arguments for a Socratic Daimon and Embodiment: A Dialogue between an A-pneumatic and Pneumatic: Is this coherent? [closed]

Dear all, can you help me find any inconsistencies from theory of mind, philosophy of mind and phenomenology of percetion in this dialogue? A conversation between an a-pneumatic and a pneumatic: A-...
Wolves' Shepherd.'s user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
84 views

On Plato's Transmigration of Souls

In Plato's theory of transmigration of souls, do some souls ever make it to a place of eternal bliss or get remanded to a place of eternal punishment?
DDS's user avatar
  • 47
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0 answers
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What are the main elements of Stoicism? [duplicate]

My question is this: What are the main elements of Stoicism? As a secondary question, it would also be nice to know how Epicureanism compares to or contrasts with Stoicism. Primary source material ...
Epimanes's user avatar
  • 101
1 vote
1 answer
65 views

Where does Plato discuss "having" and "possessing"?

I'm looking for textual references in Plato's dialogues where he discusses the difference between having and possessing with respect to actuality and potentiality. I would be grateful if anybody could ...
Frank Booth's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
63 views

Seeking Guidance for Reading Aristotle's Metaphysics

I've recently embarked on a journey to explore Aristotle's Metaphysics, but I must admit, I'm finding it quite challenging to grasp. As a newcomer to Aristotle's works, I wonder if there's a guide or ...
Bryan C's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
152 views

When the soul is with the body, does the soul change the body, or does it make the body as perfect as possible?

I would be grateful if you could answer the question above. When the soul is with the body, does the soul change the body or does it make the body perfect [or should I say that as perfect as the body ...
Frank Booth's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
62 views

Understanding Aristotle's argument of simultaneously and sequentially actualisable potential infinities in response to Atomism

I am reading a book about Aristotle. Aristotle lays out a potential argument against infinite divisibility by the Atomists, that infinite division would leave components of zero-magnitude which could ...
tom894's user avatar
  • 225
2 votes
1 answer
342 views

Are there any arguments that show the genus-species distinction does not work?

I would be grateful if someone tried to answer the question above. What are some arguments that show that genus-species relation does not correctly describe the world, that it is not a correct ...
Frank Booth's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
292 views

Preferred Translation of Plato's *Laws*?

I have been delving deeper into Greek philosophy lately, and I must say, I am quite fond of C.D.C Reeve's translations. His interpretations of various philosophical texts have always resonated with me....
cricket900's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
114 views

What does it mean to be a principle?

I would be grateful if you could direct me to relevant passages in Aristotle where I can read more about the nature of "principle." Not exacty about the principle of non-contradiction but ...
Frank Booth's user avatar

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