Ancient Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring

The tradition of ancient philosophy is a long, rich and varied one. Julia Annas gives a succinct account of ancient Greco-Roman philosophy, emphasizing its freshness and variety of themes, and its approach of lively discussion and argument. Getting away from the presentation of ancient philosophy as a succession of Great Thinkers, the book gives readers a sense of the freshness and liveliness of ancient philosophy, and of its wide variety of themes and styles.

This new edition has been fully updated to reflect updates in the field, with new illustrations and up to date further reading to allow further exploration of the field. The text has been expanded and modernized to be more comprehensive and accessible to the general reader, as well as exploring the relation of the tradition of ancient Greco-Roman philosophy to other traditions and to us.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Julia Annas, Department of Philosophy, University of Arizona, Regents Professor Emerita

Julia Annas is Regents Professor Emerita at the University of Arizona. She is an Honorary Fellow of St. Hugh's College, Oxford, a Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and was President of the Pacific Division of the American Philosophical Association 2004-5. She was the founding editor of Oxford Studies in Ancient Philosophy. She has published 16 books (8 edited or translations) and many articles, mainly on ethics in the ancient Greco-Roman world, and contemporary ethics, especially virtue ethics.