The Philosophy of Antiochus

This book reconstructs and evaluates the philosophy of a thinker who was uniquely influential among Romans of the first century BC.

David Sedley (Edited by)

9781316629055, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 29 September 2016

388 pages
22.8 x 15.2 x 2.1 cm, 0.56 kg

'The book convinces me … that Antiochus belongs to late Hellenistic philosophy rather than to the scholarly world of succeeding generations. While many issues still defy resolution, my final judgment is a highly favourable one. I particularly enjoyed the contribution of the younger scholars, while appreciating the range and depth of experienced researchers.' Harold Tarrant, sehepunkte.de

Antiochus of Ascalon was one of the seminal philosophers of the first century BC, an era of radical philosophical change. Some called him a virtual Stoic, but in reality his programme was an updated revival of the philosophy of the 'ancients', meaning above all Plato and Aristotle. His significance lies partly in his enormous influence on Roman intellectuals of the age, including Cicero, Brutus and Varro, and partly in his role as the harbinger of a new style of philosophy, which thereafter remained dominant for the remainder of antiquity. Yet much remains controversial about his ideas. This volume, the first in English to be devoted entirely to Antiochus, brings together a team of leading scholars to discuss every major aspect of his life, work and significance. In addition, it contains the first full guide to his testimonia in any modern language.

Introduction
1. Antiochus' biography Myrto Hatzimichali
2. Antiochus and the Academy Roberto Polito
3. Antiochus and Asclepiades: medical and philosophical sectarianism at the end of the Hellenistic era Rebecca Flemming
4. Antiochus as historian of philosophy David Sedley
5. Antiochus' epistemology Charles Brittain
6. Antiochus on contemplation and the happy life Georgia Tsouni
7. Antiochus, Aristotle, and the Stoics on degrees of happiness T. H. Irwin
8. Antiochus on social virtue Malcolm Schofield
9. Antiochus on physics Brad Inwood
10. Antiochus' metaphysics G. R. Boys-Stones
11. The neutralizing argument: Carneades, Antiochus, Cicero Malcolm Schofield
12. Varro and Antiochus David Blank
13. Other followers of Antiochus Carlos Lévy
14. Antiochus and Platonism Mauro Bonazzi
Appendix: a guide to the testimonies for Antiochus David Sedley
Bibliography.

Subject Areas: History of ideas [JFCX], Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500 [HPCA], Philosophy [HP], Literary studies: classical, early & medieval [DSBB]