Since Socrates—A Concise Sourcebook of Classic Readings

This historically organized anthology, co-edited by one of contemporary philosophy's most noted scholars and teachers, Robert C. Solomon, provides philosophy students with a carefully edited collection of classical sources drawn from the history of philosophy. Unlike other historical anthologies, SINCE SOCRATES is designed as a concise source book, readily managed in the course of a semester with substantial yet manageable readings from original texts in translation. Beginning with selections from Pre-Socratic sources--both Eastern and Western--and moving through representative Ancient, Medieval, Modern, and 20th century readings, students are introduced to the wide range of ideas and styles that compose philosophy's historical cannon. The aim of the book is to provide both some contact with the great historical texts in philosophy and central topics for philosophical discussion. The readings are centered on three critical questions, ethics and the quest for the good life, truth and the problem of knowledge, and the existence of God.