Dec 25, 2014 05:01 AM
http://metapsychology.mentalhelp.net/poc...304&cn=394
Review - Virtues of Thought; Essays on Plato and Aristotle, by Aryeh Kosman
Review by Diana Soeiro
EXCERPT: This book presents us a collection of essays on Aristotle and Plato, having no particular thematic unity. Two immediate questions arise: Why is it relevant to publish a book on Aristotle and Plato in 2014? Does such a book only interest scholars, particularly ancient philosophy scholars, or is it able to grasp a more general audience?
In his Introduction, Aryeh Kosman (John Whitehead Professor of Philosophy, Emeritus at Haverford College/ US), states that what all essays have in common is the intent of exploring "modes of human thought"). Though to start with, it may seem an abstract goal, he continues, highlighting the importance of reading Aristotle and Plato in order to understand Descartes' 'cogito', Gödel's incompleteness theorem, or to clarify the puzzling concept of 'consciousness' -- and much more, I would add. Ancient philosophy is actually the key to understand contemporary philosophy and if anyone who attempts to do a serious study on contemporary philosophy knows this, Kosman's essays for sure confirm it. Husserl, Heidegger, Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, Wittgenstein, Sartre, Ricoeur, and Deleuze, frequently come to mind. Particularly Husserl's phenomenology (and also Heidegger), have unequivocally set his roots on ancient philosophy and reading Kosman's essays, that explore in detail Aristotle and Plato's works and concepts, become that very clear (though they're seldom referred to).
In that sense, Kosman's book is relevant, not only for those who take interest in ancient philosophy, but also, for those who take interest in understanding the roots of most contemporary philosophy. Therefore, the first question we posed, finds its answer: a book featuring essays on Plato and Aristotle is significant in 2014 and to scholars in general. All the more so, because it is a very good book....
Review - Virtues of Thought; Essays on Plato and Aristotle, by Aryeh Kosman
Review by Diana Soeiro
EXCERPT: This book presents us a collection of essays on Aristotle and Plato, having no particular thematic unity. Two immediate questions arise: Why is it relevant to publish a book on Aristotle and Plato in 2014? Does such a book only interest scholars, particularly ancient philosophy scholars, or is it able to grasp a more general audience?
In his Introduction, Aryeh Kosman (John Whitehead Professor of Philosophy, Emeritus at Haverford College/ US), states that what all essays have in common is the intent of exploring "modes of human thought"). Though to start with, it may seem an abstract goal, he continues, highlighting the importance of reading Aristotle and Plato in order to understand Descartes' 'cogito', Gödel's incompleteness theorem, or to clarify the puzzling concept of 'consciousness' -- and much more, I would add. Ancient philosophy is actually the key to understand contemporary philosophy and if anyone who attempts to do a serious study on contemporary philosophy knows this, Kosman's essays for sure confirm it. Husserl, Heidegger, Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, Wittgenstein, Sartre, Ricoeur, and Deleuze, frequently come to mind. Particularly Husserl's phenomenology (and also Heidegger), have unequivocally set his roots on ancient philosophy and reading Kosman's essays, that explore in detail Aristotle and Plato's works and concepts, become that very clear (though they're seldom referred to).
In that sense, Kosman's book is relevant, not only for those who take interest in ancient philosophy, but also, for those who take interest in understanding the roots of most contemporary philosophy. Therefore, the first question we posed, finds its answer: a book featuring essays on Plato and Aristotle is significant in 2014 and to scholars in general. All the more so, because it is a very good book....