William W. Fortenbaugh

Theophrastus of Eresus. Sources for His Life, Writings, Thought and Influence

As part of Project Theophrastus this volume covers the material related to Theophrastus’ work on logic. As Aristotle’s pupil, he largely followed his master, but made important changes in modal logic, and some of his innovations passed into medieval logic.

Aristotle's Practical Side

This volume focuses on Aristotles practical philosophy. His analysis of emotional response takes pride of place. It is followed by discussion of his moral psychology: the division of the human soul into emotional and deliberative parts. Moral virtue is studied in relation to emotion, and animals are shown to lack both emotion and virtue. Different kinds of friendship are analyzed, and the effects of vehemence, i.e., temperament are given special attention. Aristotles justification for assigning natural slaves and women subordinate roles receives detailed consideration. The same is true of his analysis of correct and incorrect constitutions. Finally, persuasion is taken up from several angles including Aristotles emphasis on the presentation of character and his curious dismissal of delivery in speech.

Demetrius of Phalerum Text, Translation and Discussion

Demetrius of Phalerum (c. 355-280BCE) of Phalerum was a philosopher-statesman. He studied in the Peripatos under Theophrastus and subsequently used his political influence to help his teacher acquire property for the Peripatetic school. As overseer of Athens, his governance was characterized by a decade of domestic peace. Exiled to Alexandria in Egypt, he became the adviser of Ptolemy. He is said to have been in charge of legislation, and it is likely that he influenced the founding of the Museum and the Library. This edition of the fragments of Demetrius of Phalerum reflects the growing interest in the Hellenistic period and the philosophical schools of that age. As a philosopher-statesman, Demetrius appears to have combined theory and practice. For example, in the work On Behalf of the Politeia, he almost certainly explained his own legislation and governance by appealing to the Aristotelian notion of politeia, that is, a constitution in which democratic and oligarchic elements are combined. In On Peace, he may have defended his subservience to Macedon by appealing to Aristotle, who repeatedly recognized the importance of peace over war; and in On Fortune, he will have followed Theophrastus, emphasizing the way fortune can determine the success or failure of sound policy. Whatever the case concerning any one title, we can well understand why Cicero regarded Demetrius as a unique individual: the educated statesman who was able to bring learning out of the shadows of erudition into the light of political conflict, and that despite an oratorical style more suited to the shadows of the Peripatos then to political combat. The new edition of secondary reports by Stork, van Ophuijsen, and Dorandi brings together the evidence for these and other judgments. The facing translation which accompanies the Greek and Latin texts opens up the material to readers who lack the ancient languages, and the accompanying essays introduce us to important issues. The volume will be of interest to those interested in Greek literature, Hellenistic philosophy, Hellenistic history, and generally to persons captivated by the notion of philosopher-statesman.

Theophrastus of Eresus. Sources for His Life, Writings, Thought and Influence (2 vols)

A two-volume collection of the fragments and testimonia relating to Theophratus (c. 270-288/5 B.C.), presenting the texts, critical apparatus and English translation.

Theophrastus of Eresus: On Sweat, on Dizziness and on Fatigue

Book description: This volume contains modern editions of three physiological treatises by Theophrastus of Eresus, who was Artistotles pupil and successor as head of the Peripatetic School. The treatises are concerned with human phenomena of sweat, dizziness and fatigue, and exhibit close ties to the contemporary medical literature. The Greek text of each treatise is based on a new reading of the principal manuscripts. The text is accompanied by an apparatus of parallel text and variant readings. The excerpts of Photius, patriarch of Constantinople, are printed below the Theophrastean text in order to facilitate comparison. An English translation appears opposite the Greek text. There are brief notes to the translation, and a fuller commentary follows. Indices of important words and topics and a selective bibliography complete each edition.

PHILOSOPHIA ANTIQUA: A SERIES OF STUDIES ON ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY

Three treatises on human physiology by Artistotles pupil Theophrastus are newly edited and translated. A commentary accompanies each treatise, as do indices of words and subjects. Thre treatises relate to the medical and philosophical literature of the period.