Pythagoras

Rating:
Summary: "Interesting but Disheveled"
Review: The Pre-Socratic philosopher, Pythagoras, was prolific, industrious, and highly influential; but tragically none of his writings are extant. So what information we have concerning his doctrines is very scanty. However, it is true that he was an original thinker who had a profound impact upon Plato and on the whole of Western thought as well. The great philosopher's life and teachings, as represented by Thomas Stanley, the first English historian of philosophy, is thorough and excellently researched. The only drawbacks to the work are this: that it was written in the middle of the seventeenth century, so the English is a bit obscure (the letter "S" is represented with the modern lowercase "f" without the crossbar); and finally, the text is also difficult to read at times since it is photocopied from the original. Overall, with the helpful introductory essay and the invaluable information Thomas Stanley provides, this work is rewarding, and will be a great boon to anyone zealous about collecting rare books or for anyone simply interested in philosophy.

Rating:
Summary: "Interesting but Disheveled"
Review: The Pre-Socratic philosopher, Pythagoras, was prolific, industrious, and highly influential; but tragically none of his writings are extant. So what information we have concerning his doctrines is very scanty. However, it is true that he was an original thinker who had a profound impact upon Plato and on the whole of Western thought as well. The great philosopher's life and teachings, as represented by Thomas Stanley, the first English historian of philosophy, is thorough and excellently researched. The only drawbacks to the work are this: that it was written in the middle of the seventeenth century, so the English is a bit obscure (the letter "S" is represented with the modern lowercase "f" without the crossbar); and finally, the text is also difficult to read at times since it is photocopied from the original. Overall, with the helpful introductory essay and the invaluable information Thomas Stanley provides, this work is rewarding, and will be a great boon to anyone zealous about collecting rare books or for anyone simply interested in philosophy.