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The origins of the Western philosophical tradition lie in the ancient Greco-Roman world. This volume provides a unique insight into the life and writings of a diverse group of philosophers in antiquity and presents the latest thinking on their views on God, the gods, religious belief and practice. Beginning with the 'pre-Socratics', the volume then explores the influential contributions made to the Western philosophy of religion by the three towering figures of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. The chapters that follow cover the the leading philosophers of the major schools of the ancient world - Epicureanism, Stoicism, Neoplatonism and the early Christian Church. "Ancient Philosophy of Religion" will be of interest to scholars and students of Philosophy, Classics and Religion, while remaining accessible to any interested in the rich cultural heritage of ancient religious thought.
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ancient philosophy of religion the history of western philosophy of religion volume 1: ancient philosophy of religion volume 2: medieval philosophy of religion volume 3: early modern philosophy of religion volume 4: nineteenth-century philosophy of religion volume 5: twentieth-century philosophy of religion ancient philosophy of religion Edited by Graham Oppy and N. N. Trakakis volume 1 the history of western philosophy of religion ROUTLEDGE Routledge Taylor & Francis Group LONDON AND NEW YORK First published 2009 by Acumen First published in paperback by Acumen in 2013 Published 2014 by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN 711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017, USA Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business © Editorial matter and selection, 2009 Graham Oppy and N. N. Trakakis. Individual contributions, the contributors. This book is copyright under the Berne Convention. No reproduction without permission. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. Notices Practitioners and researchers must always rely on their own experience and knowledge in evaluating and using any information, methods, compounds, or experiments described herein. In using such information or methods they should be mindful of their own safety and the safety of others, including parties for whom they have a professional responsibility. To the fullest extent of the law, neither the Publisher nor the authors, contributors, or editors, assume any liability for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods, products, instructions, or ideas contained in the material herein. ISBN: 978-1-84465-681-3 (paperback Volume 1) ISBN: 978-1-84465-679-0 (paperback 5 volume set) ISBN: 978-1-84465-220-4 (hardcover Volume 1) ISBN: 978-1-84465-181-8 (hardcover 5 volume set) British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Typeset in Minion Pro. contents Editorial Introduction Contributors vii xi 1. Ancient Philosophy of Religion: An Introduction george boys-stones 1 2. Pythagoras constantinos macris 23 3. Xenophanes james h. lesher 41 4. Socrates and Plato mark mcpherran 53 5. Aristotle sarah broadie 79 6. Epicurus john penwill 93 7. The Stoics tad brennan 105 8. Cicero margaret graver 119 9. Philo of Alexandria david t. runia