Ancient Philosophy

Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics is one of the greatest guides to human flourishing ever written, but its length and style have left many readers languishing. How to Flourish is a colloquial new translation by Susan Sauve Meyer that makes Aristotle's timeless insights about how to lead a good life more engaging and accessible than ever before.

Long before the European Enlightenment and the Darwinian revolution, which we often take to mark the birth of the modern revolt against religious explanations of the world, brave people doubted the power of the gods. Religion provoked skepticism in ancient Greece, and heretics argued that history must be understood as a result of human action rather than divine intervention. They devised theories of the cosmos based on matter and notions of matter based on atoms.

The ancient biographer and essayist Plutarch thought deeply about the leadership qualities of the eminent Greeks and Romans he profiled in his famous - and massive - Lives, including politicians and generals such as Pericles, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and Mark Antony. Luckily for us, Plutarch distilled what he learned about wise leadership in a handful of essays, which are filled with essential lessons for experienced and aspiring leaders in any field today.

The Lost History of Liberalism challenges our most basic assumptions about a political creed that has become a rallying cry - and a term of derision - in today's increasingly divided public square. Taking listeners from ancient Rome to today, Helena Rosenblatt traces the evolution of the words "liberal" and "liberalism", revealing the heated debates that have taken place over their meaning. In this timely and provocative book, Rosenblatt debunks the popular myth of liberalism as a uniquely Anglo-American tradition centered on individual rights.

What are the secrets to a contented life? One of Rome's greatest and most influential poets, Horace (65-8 BCE) has been cherished for more than 2,000 years not only for his wit, style, and reflections on Roman society, but also for his wisdom about how to live a good life - above all else, a life of contentment in a world of materialistic excess and personal pressures. In How to Be Content, Stephen Harrison provides fresh, contemporary translations of poems from across Horace's works that continue to offer important lessons about the good life, friendship, love, and death.

The story of philosophy is an epic tale, spanning civilizations and continents. It explores some of the most creative minds in history. But not since the long-popular classic by Bertrand Russell, A History of Western Philosophy, published in 1945, has there been a comprehensive and entertaining single-volume history of this great, intellectual, world-shaping journey.

Worried that old age will inevitably mean losing your libido, your health, and possibly your marbles too? Well, Cicero has some good news for you. In How to Grow Old, the great Roman orator and statesman eloquently describes how you can make the second half of life the best part of all - and why you might discover that reading and gardening are actually far more pleasurable than sex ever was.

In this Very Short Introduction audiobook, Jim Fraser introduces the concept of forensic science and explains how it is used in the investigation of crime.

One of the most influential Roman perspectives on religion came from a nonreligious belief system that is finding new adherents even today: Stoicism. How did the Stoics think about religion? In How to Think About God, Philip Freeman presents vivid new translations of Cicero's On the Nature of the Gods and The Dream of Scipio. In these brief works, Cicero offers a Stoic view of belief, divinity, and human immortality, giving eloquent expression to the religious ideas of one of the most popular schools of Roman and Greek philosophy.

The Book of Eternal Wisdom Truth endures across generations, spoken in many voices yet pointing to the same eternal source. The Book of Eternal Wisdom is a meditation on that truth, drawing from the well of ancient wisdom to offer guidance for those who seek clarity, virtue, and understanding. Through twelve chapters, this work speaks in the tradition of sacred texts, philosophical inquiry, and poetic reflection. It calls upon the reader to consider the weight of justice, the quiet strength of humility, the measure of true leadership, and the light found in patience and mercy. Each page ...

Based on a thorough study of Greek life and civilization, of Greek literature, philosophy, and art, The Greek Way interprets their meaning and brings a realization of the refuge and strength the past can be to us in the troubled present. Miss Hamilton's book must take its place with the few interpretative volumes which are permanently rooted and profoundly alive in our literature.

Although we usually think of technology as something unique to modern times, our ancestors began to create the first technologies millions of years ago in the form of prehistoric tools and weapons. Over time, eight key technologies gradually freed us from the limitations of our animal origins.

As private secretary to the Emperor Hadrian, the scholar Suetonius had access to the imperial archives and used them (along with eyewitness accounts) to produce one of the most colorful biographical works in history. The Twelve Caesars chronicles the public careers and private lives of the men who wielded absolute power over Rome, from the foundation of the empire under Julius Caesar and Augustus, to the decline into depravity and civil war under Nero and the recovery that came with his successors.

Quietly Stoic is the ultimate guide for introverts who want to navigate social situations with confidence, clarity, and calm. Drawing on timeless Stoic principles and modern strategies, this book offers a simple framework, practical habits, and actionable tips to help you master small talk, thrive at networking events, and recharge without guilt. It’s not about being the loudest in the room—it’s about showing up as your authentic, quietly powerful self. Whether you dread small talk, struggle to connect at networking events, or feel drained after socializing, Quietly Stoic offers tools...

Step Into the Mind of Ancient China’s Boldest Philosopher What if the key to solving today’s biggest challenges—inequality, conflict, and leadership—lay buried in the teachings of a man who lived over 2,000 years ago? Mozi for Beginners: Foundations of Mohism and Its Legacy introduces you to the revolutionary ideas of Mozi, the thinker who defied tradition, rejected privilege, and offered a bold vision of universal love and practical governance. Why This Book Matters to You In a time when society often feels divided, Mozi’s philosophy reminds us of the power of impartiality, ...

This anthology is a miscellany of maxims and anecdotes that generations of Western readers have consulted for edification as well as entertainment ever since Lives of the Eminent Philosophers, first compiled in the AD third century, came to prominence in Renaissance Italy. To this day, it remains a crucial source for much of what we know about the origins and practice of philosophy in ancient Greece.

Do you want to discover the unspoken truths about Yoga Sutras? Are you ready to observe the world of meditation from a new point of view? Let yourself be abandoned by this Guide and everything will be clearer to you! The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali has long been shrouded in mystery and confusion. That’s because existing translations rely on confusing language and outdated interpretations. The process can be so frustrating that it seems that only yoga instructors or dedicated gurus are committed to studying this ancient text, the Yoga Sutras.

At Will Durant's death at 96, in 1981, his personal papers were dispersed among relatives, collectors, and archive houses. Twenty years later, scholar John Little discovered the previously unknown manuscript of Heroes of History in Durant's granddaughter's garage. Written shortly before he died, these 21 essays serve as an abbreviated version of Durant's best-selling, 11-volume series, The Story of Civilization.

Plato's dialogue in the Symposium, which has as its topic the subject of love, explores the idea of love as a means of ascent to contemplation of the Divine. For Plato, generally, to love other human beings is to direct one's mind to love of Divinity. One proceeds from recognition of another's beauty to appreciation of Beauty as it exists apart from any individual, to consideration of Divinity, the source of Beauty, to love of Divinity.

Unlock the secrets of skepticism with a journey that spans millennia. "Cynicism for Beginners: From Ancient Greece to Modern Times" is your gateway to understanding one of philosophy's most enduring and provocative perspectives. Whether you’re a seasoned philosopher or a curious newcomer, this book promises to enlighten, challenge, and inspire. Dive into the Origins: Step back into Ancient Greece, where it all began with the audacious Diogenes and his contemporaries. Discover how these early cynics boldly questioned societal norms, setting the stage for a movement that would influence ...