Ancient Philosophy

The foundations of modern knowledge - philosophy, math, astronomy, geography - were laid by the Greeks, whose ideas were written on scrolls and stored in libraries across the Mediterranean and beyond. But as the vast Roman Empire disintegrated, so did appreciation of these precious texts. Christianity cast a shadow over so-called pagan thought, books were burned, and the library of Alexandria, the greatest repository of classical knowledge, was destroyed. Yet some texts did survive and The Map of Knowledge explores the role played by seven cities around the Mediterranean....

The Dialogues of Plato rank with the writings of Aristotle as the most important and influential philosophical works in Western thought. In them Plato cast his teacher Socrates as the central disputant in colloquies that brilliantly probe a vast spectrum of philosophical ideas and issues.

The "Dao-De Jing" is the most famous and unfathomable work of Chinese philosophical inheritance. It is unique among the other classical ‘guidebooks’ in providing a practical method, by which one can effect this experiential learning of the absolute Dao. As a canon, it is a symbolic work and its symbols transcend its context. When this is properly understood, all 81 sections of it divided into nine divisions and two halves have universal application. Any attempt to translate them with no account taken of the numerological and symbolical systems means to remove them entirely from ...

Whether you are seeking spiritual enlightenment, philosophical insights, or practical guidance, this edition of The Kybalion will be your timeless companion on this journey. Embrace ancient wisdom and let it transform your understanding of reality and yourself. Now, ask yourself, are you ready?

The first robot to walk the earth was a bronze giant called Talos. This wondrous machine was created not by MIT Robotics Lab, but by Hephaestus, the Greek god of invention, more than 2,500 years ago. In this groundbreaking account of the earliest expressions of the timeless impulse to create artificial life, Adrienne Mayor tells the fascinating story of how ancient Greek, Roman, Indian, and Chinese myths envisioned artificial life, automata, self-moving devices, and human enhancements - and how these visions relate to and reflect the ancient invention of real animated machines.

Achieve Unwavering Inner Calm and Resilience in Just 30 Days With These Ancient Techniques, Even If Stress Has Always Ruled Your Life Do you feel overwhelmed by life's endless demands and chaotic stresses? Are you yearning for emotional resilience and inner peace but don't know where to begin? If these questions resonate with you, you're not alone. Across the globe, countless individuals are searching for ways to navigate their reality with peace, grace, and stability. And this is your opportunity to change that narrative. Applying Stoicism's ancient wisdom can transform your mindset, ...

Best-selling author Richard E. Rubenstein brings the past to life in this engrossing story of social, religious, and scientific revolution during one of the darkest periods in European history. When a group of Dark Ages scholars rediscovered the works of Aristotle, the great thinker's ideas ignited a firestorm of enlightened thought. This is the endlessly fascinating account of the pivotal period in history when the modern era took root.

**Discover the Rhythms of Nature and Unlock a Timeless Path to Wellness with "Elemental Harmony"** Embark on an extraordinary journey into the ancient wisdom of the Five Elements, where the secrets of the universe meet the art of harmonious living. "Elemental Harmony" offers a rare glimpse into an age-old philosophy that has shaped the landscape of healing and self-cultivation. The philosophy of the Five Elements unveils an intricate world where every force and form is connected, weaving the cosmology of yesteryears with the realities of today's life. Unlock the mysteries of Wood, Fire, ...

From the moderator of The New York Times philosophy blog "The Stone", an audiobook that argues that if we want to understand ourselves, we have to go back to theater, to the stage of our lives.

Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius was the final famous Stoic philosopher of the ancient world. The Meditations, his personal journal, survives to this day as one of the most loved self-help and spiritual classics of all time. In How to Think Like a Roman Emperor, psychotherapist Donald Robertson weaves stories of Marcus’s life from the Roman histories together with explanations of Stoicism—its philosophy and its psychology—to enlighten today’s listeners. He discusses Stoic techniques for coping with everyday problems, from irrational fears and bad habits to anger, pain, and illness.

In the vast expanse of human consciousness, a realm exists where the boundaries between reality and illusion blur, leading us astray from our true path to happiness. This transformative book draws on the ancient wisdom of mindfulness to serve as your guide back to the path of conscious living. Through mindful awareness, we illuminate the darkness, clearing the emotional dust from our soul's mirror to reveal the world and ourselves with newfound clarity. Mindfulness teaches us that the mind's flexibility is the key to our liberation. As we explore the practice, we learn the art of unlearning...

Since 1908, The Kybalion has served as a study of basic Hermetic teachings that outline an ageless wisdom and touch upon the inner workings of nature. In ancient times and even today, these teachings were not understood by the lay person, but were readily understood by students after the axioms and principles had been explained and exemplified by the Hermetic Initiates and Masters to their Neophytes. An occult classic, this edition of The Kybalion is prefaced with an intriguing and thought-provoking foreword by Summum.

How to Get Started Learning About Stoicism: A Beginner’s Guide to Ancient Wisdom for Modern Life is your practical, accessible introduction to the life-changing philosophy of Stoicism. Whether you're looking to reduce anxiety, navigate modern stress, or build inner resilience, this guide shows you how to apply ancient Stoic principles to everyday challenges. This comprehensive, easy-to-follow Stoicism guide covers the foundations of Stoic philosophy, its powerful tools for emotional mastery, and how you can develop a Stoic mindset in today’s fast-paced world. Learn from the great Stoic ...

There is something so incredibly timeless about the teachings of the ancients that I find they continue to ring true in my fast-paced, modern world. The lessons of Stoic philosophers such as Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus, Socrates’ focus on self-knowledge, and the harmonious teachings of Lao Tzu and Confucius all offer critical insights that help to lead us toward a life of purpose, balance, and integrity.

“Education is the art of making men ethical”—Georg F. W. Hegel, Philosophy of Right Both reason and unreason exist in this world. The sublime and the ridiculous are inseparable. The enigmatic force called “daemonism” by Goethe can erupt and overturn all our calculations. Mikhail Lifshitz argued that the dualistic worldview of ancient and primitive mythologies splendidly reflects this realistic picture of the universe. We associate myth with wild and entirely improbable stories, but a kernel of universal truth resides within them. That truth can serve as our guide toward becoming ...

Whenever we worry about what to eat, how to love, or simply how to be happy, we are worrying about how to lead a good life. No goal is more elusive. In How to Be a Stoic, philosopher Massimo Pigliucci offers Stoicism, the ancient philosophy that inspired the great emperor Marcus Aurelius, as the best way to attain it. Stoicism is a pragmatic philosophy that teaches us to act depending on what is within our control and separate things worth getting upset about from those that are not.

Unlock the ancient wisdom of one of history's most daring thinkers with "Xenophanes: A Beginner's Guide: From Myth to Reason." This book invites you on a captivating journey through the life and ideas of Xenophanes, a philosopher who dared to question the norms of his time and paved the way for modern thought. Discover the man behind the philosophy. Step into ancient Greece and meet Xenophanes, whose boldness and intellect set him apart from his contemporaries. Understand the world that shaped his revolutionary ideas and explore the mind of a thinker who challenged traditional beliefs. ...

A philosophical and spiritual book set in various regions influenced by ancient wisdom throughout history. Delve into the profound depths of existence with "Science of the Soul," where the boundaries between the physical and spiritual realms blur, leading to transformative insights about health and healing. This groundbreaking book invites readers on a journey to uncover the ancient wisdom that shapes our understanding of disease, prompting a re-evaluation of modern medical practices that often overlook the soul's vital role in holistic well-being. In a compelling examination of humanity's ...

Why is it always hard to fall asleep the night before an important meeting? Or be charming and relaxed on a first date? What is it about a politician who seems wooden or a comedian whose jokes fall flat or an athlete who chokes? In all of these cases, striving seems to backfire. In Trying Not To Try, Edward Slingerland explains why we find spontaneity so elusive, and shows how early Chinese thought points the way to happier, more authentic lives.

This famous work by Lucretius is a masterpiece of didactic poetry, and it still stands today as the finest exposition of Epicurean philosophy ever written. The poem was produced in the middle of first century B.C., a period that was to witness a flowering of Latin literature unequaled for beauty and intellectual power in subsequent ages. The Latin title, De Rerum Natura, translates literally to On the Nature of Things and is meant to impress the reader with the breadth and depth of Epicurean philosophy.