The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers
The work provides a comprehensive account of the lives and philosophies of notable figures in ancient Greek philosophy, primarily focusing on the origins, development, and various schools of thought. It begins by tracing the roots of philosophy, suggesting that it may have originated with non-Greek cultures, such as the Magi of Persia and the Gymnosophists of India, before establishing that the Greeks, particularly figures like Musaeus and Linus, were foundational to philosophical thought. The text outlines the succession of philosophers, detailing the Ionian and Italian schools, and highlights key figures such as Thales, Anaximander, and Pythagoras, along with their contributions to natural philosophy and ethics. It discusses the emergence of different philosophical sects, including the Academics, Stoics, Cynics, and Epicureans, and their varying views on ethics, knowledge, and the nature of the universe. The narrative includes anecdotes and teachings attributed to these philosophers, illustrating their thoughts on virtue, knowledge, and the human condition. It emphasizes the importance of moral philosophy, particularly through the teachings of Socrates, who is portrayed as a pivotal figure in shifting philosophical focus from natural philosophy to ethics. The work also examines the lives of Socrates' disciples, including Plato and Xenophon, detailing their contributions to philosophy and literature. It highlights Plato's establishment of the Academy and his dialogues, which explore various philosophical themes, including the theory of forms and the nature of justice. Throughout, the text reflects on the interplay between philosophy and politics, the role of the philosopher in society, and the enduring legacy of these thinkers. It concludes with a discussion of the later developments in philosophy, including the rise of skepticism and the eclectic approaches of later philosophers, showcasing the evolution of thought from the classical period to subsequent generations.
By Diogenes Laërtius · First published 283 · Genre: Philosophy, Biography, History · 60 chapters
Contents
- Introduction
- Thales
- Solon
- Chilo
- Pittacus
- Bias
- Cleobulus
- Periander
- Anacharsis, the Scythian
- Myson
- Epimenides
- Pherecydes
- Anaximander
- Anaximenes
- Anaxagoras
- Archelaus
- Socrates
- Xenophon
- Aeschines
- Aristippus
- Phaedo
- Euclides
- Stilpo
- Crito
- Simon
- Glauco
- Simias
- Cebes
- Menedemus
- Plato
- Speusippus
- Xenocrates
- Polemo
- Crates
- Crantor
- Arcesilaus
- Bion
- Lacydes
- Carneades
- Clitomachus
- Aristotle
- Theophrastus
- Strato
- Lycon
- Demetrius
- Heraclides
- Antisthenes
- Diogenes
- Monimus
- Onesicritus
- Crates
- Metrocles
- Hipparchia
- Menippus
- Menedemus
- Zeno
- Ariston
- Herillus
- Dionysius
- Cleanthes