The Cyrenaics

📘 Book Details

• Title: The Cyrenaic Philosophers: In Ancient and Modern Interpretation

• Author: Ugo Zilioli

• Publisher: Routledge

• Edition: 1st

• Release Date: 30 November 2013

• Language: English

• Binding: Paperback

• EAN: 9781844657636

• Package Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches

📖 About The Book

In The Cyrenaic Philosophers: In Ancient and Modern Interpretation, Ugo Zilioli delves into one of the most intriguing schools of ancient philosophy – the Cyrenaics. Named after the city of Cyrene in North Africa, where its founder Aristippus hailed from, this school flourished in the fifth and fourth centuries BCE. Despite being overshadowed by the more prominent schools of thought such as those of Plato and Aristotle, the Cyrenaics offered unique and sophisticated contributions to philosophy, particularly in ethics, epistemology, and ontology.

Zilioli’s book offers readers a comprehensive introduction to the key figures of the Cyrenaic school, beginning with Aristippus and extending to his followers. It sets their ideas in the historical context of ancient philosophy, providing readers with a deep understanding of their doctrines and philosophical contributions. The book also includes a critical review of both ancient and modern interpretations of the Cyrenaic school, allowing readers to explore different perspectives on their beliefs and their role within the broader scope of Greek philosophy.

The book's structure guides readers through the key elements of Cyrenaic philosophy, beginning with their ethical speculations, which were closely intertwined with their views on knowledge and reality. Zilioli makes the case that the Cyrenaics represented a crucial and original metaphysical position that contrasted with the realist approaches of Plato and Aristotle. By connecting their ethical theories with their views on knowledge and the nature of existence, the Cyrenaics offered an alternative philosophical system that, while largely forgotten in mainstream discourse, was both innovative and significant in ancient thought.

This book is essential for anyone interested in ancient philosophy, providing a fresh and insightful perspective on the Cyrenaic school. It is invaluable for students, scholars, and those curious about the lesser-known but important philosophical contributions of this group. Zilioli’s clear analysis helps readers understand why the Cyrenaics were not merely followers of others but were capable of offering original and profound insights into ethics, knowledge, and existence.