The Cambridge History of Philosophy in Late Antiquity

Product Description The Cambridge History of Philosophy in Late Antiquity comprises over forty specially commissioned essays by experts on the philosophy of the period 200–800 CE. Designed as a successor to The Cambridge History of Later Greek and Early Medieval Philosophy (edited by A. H. Armstrong), it takes into account some forty years of scholarship since the publication of that volume. The contributors examine philosophy as it entered literature, science and religion, and offer new and extensive assessments of philosophers who until recently have been mostly ignored. The volume also includes a complete digest of all philosophical works known to have been written during this period. It will be an invaluable resource for all those interested in this rich and still emerging field. Review "This useful volume features 48 essays by expert contributors on philosophers, philosophical and religious movements (e.g. Gnosticism), theologians (e.g., Pseudo-Dionysius), and scientific thinkers (e.g., Ptolemy and Galen) … Especially valuable are the chapters on Christian Patristic thinkers (the Alexandrians and Cappadocians) and on the later pagan Neoplatonists, including Proclus, Damascius, Philoponus, and others … the essays summarizing the results of this research are most welcome. Accompanying the essays are a 50-page list of works by ancient authors, an invaluable 200-page bibliography, an extensive index locorum, and a brief general index of subjects and authors. This excellent reference work will be a valuable addition to college and university libraries … Highly recommended …" J. Bussanich, Choice"Gerson’s volume is a mine of information and a basic sourcebook for further deepening our understanding of the thought of late antiquity, whether historically, philologically, or - one would hope - philosophically." John Rist, Journal of the History of Philosophy"… a particularly useful research and teaching tool: the reader or instructor, in consulting a particular chapter, knows to a decent extent what she or he is getting … there is no question but that the editor has put together a History that performs a unique function and service in today’s scholarly world. Gerson’s many contributors have also all risen to a formidable task, making this an impressive showcase for the state of the art in a field that is rapidly gaining in recognition …" Taneli Kukkonen, Philosophy in Review"For this new two-volume history Lloyd Gerson commission[ed] eminent scholars to contribute chapters, focusing primarily on the period between 200 and 100 CE … The contributions are uniformly excellent. In addition to the subtlety with which the myriad philosophical positions and systems are articulated and examined, the contributions all display an impressive acquaintance with the important philological scholarship that informs current attempts to rehabilitate the reputations of authors and works from late antiquity … an indispensable reference work for the period …" Michael Fournier, Canadian Journal of History Book Description This History comprises over forty specially commissioned essays by experts on the philosophy of the period 200–800 CE. About the Author Lloyd Gerson is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Toronto. He is the author of numerous books including Ancient Epistemology (Cambridge, 2009), Aristotle and Other Platonists (2005) and Knowing Persons: A Study in Plato (2004), as well as the editor for The Cambridge Companion to Plotinus (1996).