Empedocles: The Extant Fragments (Hardcover)

M.R. Wright

ISBN 10: 0300024754 / ISBN 13: 9780300024753

Published by Yale University Press, New Haven, 1981

About this Item

Hardcover. One of the most important Presocratic philosophers was the Sicilian Empedocles. He presented his work in the form of two hexameter poems, of which about 450 lines are extant, revealing a formidable range of interests, acute observation, and a firm grasp of fundamental issues in the study of man and nature. Empedocles' theory of four elements was crucial to later developments in science and medicine. He showed how forces of attraction and repulsion acted on the elements within a framework of cyclical time and limited space, and initiated or advanced major discoveries in astronomy, biology, and physiology. More sophisticated concepts of divinity, personality, and mortality replaced traditional mythology, and these concepts were founded on the conviction that the individual has control over his own character and intellectual growth. The introduction discusses Empedocles' life and interests, the content of the Physics and Katharmoi, and the relation of the two poems to each other. A new Greek text with apparatus is followed by translation, commentary, and detailed concordance, to give a comprehensive edition of this key figure in the history of ideas. "With its careful and judicious editing of the fragments and its many fresh insights into Empedocles' thought, this work will be indispensable to students of Presocratic philosophy."-Alexander P.D. Mourelatos This book chronicles the life and writings of Empedocles philosophical activity between the defeat of the Fabii at Cremera and the establishment of the Decemvirate, including Diogenes account that when there were signs of tyranny in Acragas, Empedocles persuaded the people to put an end to their rivalries and to adopt a democratic form of government. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780300024753

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Empedocles: The Extant Fragments (Hardcover)
• Publisher: Yale University Press, New Haven
• Publication Date: 1981
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0300024754
• ISBN 13: 9780300024753
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

One of the most important Presocratic philosophers was the Sicilian Empedocles.  He presented his work in the form of two hexameter poems, of which about 450 lines are extant, revealing a formidable range of interests, acute observation, and a firm grasp of fundamental issues in the study of man and nature.
Empedocles’ theory of four elements was crucial to later developments in science and medicine.  He showed how forces of attraction and repulsion acted on the elements within a framework of cyclical time and limited space, and initiated or advanced major discoveries in astronomy, biology, and physiology.  More sophisticated concepts of divinity, personality, and mortality replaced traditional mythology, and these concepts were founded on the conviction that the individual has control over his own character and intellectual growth.
The introduction discusses Empedocles’ life and interests, the content of the Physics and Katharmoi, and the relation of the two poems to each other.  A new Greek text with apparatus is followed by translation, commentary, and detailed concordance, to give a comprehensive edition of this key figure in the history of ideas.
“With its careful and judicious editing of the fragments and its many fresh insights into Empedocles’ thought, this work will be indispensable to students of Presocratic philosophy.”―Alexander P.D. Mourelatos

From the Back Cover

This book chronicles the life and writings of Empedocles philosophical activity between the defeat of the Fabii at Cremera and the establishment of the Decemvirate, including Diogenes account that when there were signs of tyranny in Acragas, Empedocles persuaded the people to put an end to their rivalries and to adopt a democratic form of government.