Greek Theories of Elementary Cognition from Alcmaeon to Aristotle

Abstract

THIS volume, from the pen of the regius professor of Greek in Dublin, continues the kind of work so well begun for English readers by Prof. Burnet's “Early Greek Philosophy.” It deals with the various theories entertained in regard to the five senses, sensation in general, and lastly the Sensus Communis, and its method is under each head to give as consistent a view as possible of what was severally taught by Alcmaeon, Empedocles, Democritus, Anaxagoras, Diogenes of Apollonia, Plato, and Aristotle. There is little or no attempt to criticise these writers from the standpoint of modern philosophy. But the statement is very clear, the discussion of disputed points scholarly, the facts are well arranged, and the literature—to judge from the footnotes and the list of books consulted—seems to have been thoroughly studied; although one misses a reference to one recent work on the “De Anima” —that of Rodier, whose commentary, if not his translation, has been regarded by competent judges as indispensable.

Greek Theories of Elementary Cognition from Alcmaeon to Aristotle.

By John I. Beare. Pp. viii + 354. (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1906.) Price 12s. 6d. net.