Greek philosophy: impact on Islamic philosophy

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Majid Fakhry
Keyword(s):  
Eighth Century ◽  
Greek Philosophy ◽  
Islamic Philosophy ◽  
Near Eastern ◽  
Abbasid Caliphate ◽  
Classical Greek Philosophy ◽  
Hellenistic Philosophy ◽  
Muslim Spain ◽  
Cultural Movement ◽  
Radical Transformation

During the Hellenistic period (323–43 bc), classical Greek philosophy underwent a radical transformation. From being an essentially Greek product, it developed into a cosmopolitan and eclectic cultural movement in which Greek, Egyptian, Phoenician and other Near Eastern religious and ethical elements coalesced. This transformation is best symbolized by the role Alexandria played as the hub of diverse currents of thought making up the new philosophy. When the Abbasid Caliphate was founded in Baghdad in 750 ad, the centre of learning gradually moved to the Abbasid capital, which became in due course the heir of Athens and Alexandria as the new cultural metropolis of the medieval world. About two centuries later Cordoba, capital of Muslim Spain, began to vie with Baghdad as the centre of ‘ancient learning’. From Cordoba, Greek–Arabic philosophy and science were transmitted across the Pyrenees to Paris, Bologna and Oxford in the twelfth and the thirteenth centuries. The initial reception of Greek–Hellenistic philosophy in the Islamic world was mixed. It was frowned upon at first as being suspiciously foreign or pagan, and was dismissed by conservative theologians, legal scholars and grammarians as pernicious or superfluous. By the middle of the eighth century ad the picture had changed somewhat, with the appearance of the rationalist theologians of Islam known as the Mu‘tazilites, who were thoroughly influenced by the methods of discourse or dialectic favoured by the Muslim philosophers. Of those philosophers, the two outstanding figures of the ninth and tenth centuries were al-Kindi and al-Razi, who hailed Greek philosophy as a form of liberation from the shackles of dogma or blind imitation (taqlid). For al-Kindi, the goals of philosophy are perfectly compatible with those of religion, and, for al-Razi, philosophy was the highest expression of man’s intellectual ambitions and the noblest achievement of that noble people, the Greeks, who were unsurpassed in their quest for wisdom (hikma).

Ethical-cultural Maps of Classical Greek Philosophy: the Contradiction between Nature and Civilization in Ancient Cynicism

Cultura ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-53
Author(s):  
Vytis VALATKA ◽  
Vaida ASAKAVIČIŪTĖ
Keyword(s):  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Greek Philosophy ◽  
Ancient Greek ◽  
Positive Aspect ◽  
Weak Point ◽  
Dio Chrysostom ◽  
Weak Points ◽  
Cultural Maps ◽  
Classical Greek Philosophy ◽  
Ancient Cynicism

This article restores the peculiar ethical-cultural cartography from the philosophical fragments of Ancient Greek Cynicism. Namely, the fragments of Anthistenes, Diogenes of Sinope, Crates, Dio Chrysostom as well as of the ancient historians of philosophy (Diogenes Laertius and Joanes Stobaeus) are mainly analyzed and interpreted. The methods of comparative analysis as well of rational restoration are applied in this article.The authors of the article concentrate on the main characteristics of the above mentioned cartography, that is, the contradiction between maps of nature and civilization. The article comes to the conclusion that the basis of this contradiction is the concept of the main value as well as virtue in the above mentioned cynicism, namely, natural radical temperance. According to ancient cynics, this virtue is absolutely incompatible with pleasure-driven civilization, as the latter annihilates the former. Therefore, cynics interpreted the whole territory of the world known at that time as divided between maps of nature and civilization that never overlap or even intersect. Moreover, according to ancient cynics, the territory covered by maps of civilization is considerably smaller than that enframed by the maps of nature. Moreover, the areas of nature are continuously being diminished, as civilization resolutely goes ahead. In such a situation that threatens survival of human nature the only possible way out is a return to the natural value of radical temperance. After cynics, the only effective strategy of achieving that challenging goal is askesis as excercises of temperance dedicated both to body and spirit.The authors of the article also give a certain SWOT analysis of the above mentioned cartography in the context of contemporary society. According to them, such a cartography possesses both strong and weak points. The main weak point is the contradiction itself between maps of culture and civilization. As a matter of fact, civilization does not annihilate the possibility of natural temperance, whereas a human being, according to his/her nature, is a creator of culture and civilization. On the other hand, the main positive aspect is an emphasis on virtue of temperance, which is actual, significant and relevant in any epoch, culture and civilization, and which is pretty much forgotten nowadays.

scholarly journals Гермотим из Клазомен и начало афинской философии

2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 141-148
Author(s):  
О.А. Матвейчев
Keyword(s):  
Ancient Greece ◽  
Fundamental Principle ◽  
History Of Philosophy ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Greek Philosophy ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Classical Greek Philosophy ◽  
Available Information ◽  
Greek World

Гермотим из Клазомен – фигура в истории греческой философии, можно сказать, маргинальная. В современной литературе он появляется разве что в ряду других колдунов и мистиков VII–VI вв. до н.э. В таком статусе он включается и в собрание Дильса. Анализируя сведения о Гермотиме, автор ставит перед собой цель найти ему место среди малоазийских философов первой величины, которых считают основателями греческой философии. Различение духа (души) и материи (тела) станет основополагающим принципом греческой философии, понятие Ума (нуса) выступит фундаментом для системы Анаксагора, первого афинского философа, с которого, собственно, и начнется история классической греческой философии. Автор разделяет точку зрения Э. Доддса и др., что появление нового для Греции представления о различии души и тела коренится в северной (гиперборейской?) ментальности, привнесенной в греческий мир во времена колонизации VII–VI вв. до н.э., а возможно – и в более ранние. Ключевые слова: история философии, Древняя Греция, Гиперборея, Гермотим из Клазомен, Анаксагор, шаманизм, нус, душа, тело Hermotimus of Clazomenae can be called a marginal figure in the history of Greek philosophy. In modern literature he is mentioned only among other sorcerers and mystics of the VIIth–VIth centuries BC. The collection of Hermann Diels describes him in the same manner. Analyzing available information about Hermotimus, the author makes an attempt to place him among the primary Anatolian philosophers who are considered the founders of Greek philosophy. The distinction between spirit (soul) and matter (body) will become the fundamental principle of Greek philosophy; the concept of Nous (cosmic Mind) will be the foundation for the system of Anaxagoras, the first Athenian philosopher, from which, in fact, the history of classical Greek philosophy begins. The author shares the point of view of E. Dodds and others that the emergence of a new concept about the difference between soul and body in Greece is rooted in the northern (Hyperborean?) mentality introduced into the Greek world during the colonization of the VIIth–VIth centuries BC or possibly in earlier times. Keywords: history of philosophy, Ancient Greece, Hyperborea, Hermotimus of Clazomenae, Anaxagoras, shamanism, nous, soul, body

scholarly journals Jorge Basadre, filósofo de la historia

2020 ◽  
pp. 111-116
Author(s):  
Luis Alberto Arista Montoya
Keyword(s):  
Philosophy Of History ◽  
Nation State ◽  
Greek Philosophy ◽  
German Philosophy ◽  
The Face ◽  
Classical Greek Philosophy

ResumenToda la obra historiográfica republicana del intelectual peruano Jorge Basadre Grohmann (1903-1980) se sustenta en una rica filosofía de la historia que parte de su opción por la filosofía clásica griega, así como de la filosofía alemana moderna; sus ensayos socio-históricos son los que mejor interpretan filosóficamente la actualidad peruana, clave para comprender su vigencia y trascendencia intelectual. De cara a la conmemoración del Bicentenario de la Independencia, con el presente estudio iniciamos la exploración de esa veta filosófica que aparece, permanece yfluye en toda su obra.Palabras clave: Identidad, proyecto, posibilidad, promesa, ser, Nación, Estado, peruanidad. AbstractAll the republican historiographic research of the Peruvian intellectual Jorge Basadre Grohmann (1903-1980) is supported by a rich philosophy of history that emerges from his choice for classical Greek philosophy, as well as modern German philosophy; and his socio-historical essays remains as the best way to interpret Peru nowadays: is the key to understand its validity and intellectual transcendence. In the face of the commemoration of the Peruvian Independence Bicentennial, with this study we begin the exploration of that philosophical vein that appears and remains in all his works.Keywords: Identity, project, possibility, promise, being, Nation, State, Peruvian identity.

scholarly journals Diodorus Cronus and Hellenistic Philosophy

1977 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. 74-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Sedley
Keyword(s):  
Propositional Logic ◽  
Direct Influence ◽  
Greek Philosophy ◽  
Philosophical Background ◽  
History Of ◽  
Validity Criteria ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Hellenistic Philosophy ◽  
First Time

During the last four decades historians of ancient logic have become increasingly aware of the importance of Diodorus Cronus and his pupil Philo as pioneers of the propositional logic which came to flourish in the Stoa. Their direct influence has so far been recognised in two main areas of Hellenistic controversy – the validity-criteria for conditional propositions, and the definition of the modal terms ‘possible’ and ‘necessary’. But some broader questions have not been satisfactorily answered. What were Diodorus' own philosophical allegiances and antecedents? What is his place in the history of Greek philosophy? How far-reaching was his influence on the post-Aristotelian philosophers?There was little chance of tackling these questions confidently until 1972, when Klaus Döring published for the first time the collected fragments of Diodorus, in his important volume Die Megariker. Meagre though they are, these fragments confirm my suspicion that Diodorus' philosophical background has not been fully explored, and also that his influence on the three emerging Hellenistic schools – the Stoics, Epicureans, and Sceptics – was far wider than has hitherto been recognised. There has been much discussion as to which earlier philosophers played the most decisive part in shaping Hellenistic philosophy, and the respective claims of the Platonists and of Aristotle have never lacked expert advocacy. In all this, the claims of so obscure a figure as Diodorus have been underrated.

Figurative iconography from Corinth, Ithaka and Pithekoussai: Aetos 600 reconsidered

2001 ◽  
Vol 96 ◽  
pp. 195-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Point ◽  
Eighth Century ◽  
Near Eastern ◽  
The Third ◽  
Architectural Model ◽  
And Function

This article reappraises the iconography and function of an architectural model or pyxis from Aetos on Ithaka, represented by four sherds originally published by Martin Robertson in BSA 43 (1948), 101–2 as part of the group Aetos 600. Particular comparison is made with the iconography of an imported Ithakan kantharos from tomb 949 in the San Montano cemetery at Pithekoussai. This tomb context, dated to the third quarter of the eighth century, provides a rare fixed point in the chronology of Ithakan painting. In both cases, the mixture of Italian and Near Eastern iconographical traits suggests closer connections with contemporary Italy than the Greek mainland. Further iconographical and functional comparison is made with a figured architectural model from the Monte di Vico acropolis at Pithekoussai.

Greek Philosophy

Classics ◽  
2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Preus
Keyword(s):  
Roman Empire ◽  
Greek Philosophy ◽  
Ancient Greek ◽  
Philosophical Work ◽  
Secondary Literature ◽  
Imperial Period ◽  
Ancient Greek Philosophy ◽  
Philosophical Texts ◽  
Hellenistic Philosophy ◽  
Greek World

The title “Ancient Greek Philosophy” may be applied to philosophical texts written in Greek over a period of somewhat more than one thousand years, from the Milesian Anaximander before 500 bce to the Alexandrian John Philoponus, who died in 570 ce. The bibliography of the available texts, and translations, is significantly large, and the bibliography of secondary literature written about those texts in subsequent centuries is vast. This article is necessarily highly selective, designed primarily to give access to some of the basic works in each area of investigation. Separate bibliographies on individual philosophers, periods, and schools will follow. This article begins with a section on philosophy before Plato, including the Presocratics and Socrates, with some references to philosophers who were contemporaries of Plato and Aristotle. The second section focuses on Plato and early Platonists; the third section, on Aristotle and his immediate successors in the Peripatetic school. The fourth section focuses on philosophy after Aristotle, often called “Hellenistic” philosophy. This period notably includes Epicureans, Skeptics, and Stoics, as well as followers of Plato and Aristotle during the period from 322 bce until the Roman Empire engulfed the Greek world. The fifth section includes access to philosophy written in Greek during the Roman Imperial period, from the middle of the 1st century bce until the closing of the philosophical schools in the 5th and 6th centuries ce. It was during this time that many of the texts that provide our information about the earlier periods were written; many of the surviving texts are commentaries on works by Plato or Aristotle, for example, but significant original philosophical work was written, for instance, by Neoplatonists such as Plotinus and Porphyry, by Aristotelians such as Alexander of Aphrodisias, and by the medical philosopher Galen. This bibliography includes something of a combination of introductory texts suitable for someone beginning a study of a particular field, plus a significant number of texts and translations of the ancient authors, and a few more-specialized studies, where those may be of special interest.

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