Hellenic Philosophy

[David19]

Something different, and, hopefully, a lighter topic than the others, but, I'm hoping some people can help me. Even though I'm not a Hellenic recon (or really any path right now, just trying to find the one that fits me perfectly), I've always been attracted to, and would like to learn more, about Hellenic Philosophy, but, I don't know where to start. I know some people say, to read the ancient Greeks, and I have attempted too, but, to be honest, the language that is used, maybe it's just the translation used, but, it's not exactly the easiest to understand (and quite dry, especially some translations), but, are there any good books that you'd recommend as good introductions to Hellenic Philosophy. I've heard Peter Kingsley's (http://www.peterkingsley.org) works are good, if you've read them, would you recommend them? (I've heard, not only is he scholarly, but, also, accessible to the everyday person, and he writes as someone who's a practicioner (I don't know if Kingsley is some kind of Pagan or worships the Hellenic Gods)?.

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Twinkle]

Hey David -

I wrote a blog on this, and I hope it helps.

http://hellenismos.us/b/2008/10/some-thoughts-on-philosophy/


I cannot stress enough reading books *about* philosophy first, it really helps you on the approach to it. :)

[Caitlin.ann]

Something different, and, hopefully, a lighter topic than the others, but, I'm hoping some people can help me. Even though I'm not a Hellenic recon (or really any path right now, just trying to find the one that fits me perfectly), I've always been attracted to, and would like to learn more, about Hellenic Philosophy, but, I don't know where to start. I know some people say, to read the ancient Greeks, and I have attempted too, but, to be honest, the language that is used, maybe it's just the translation used, but, it's not exactly the easiest to understand (and quite dry, especially some translations), but, are there any good books that you'd recommend as good introductions to Hellenic Philosophy. I've heard Peter Kingsley's (http://www.peterkingsley.org) works are good, if you've read them, would you recommend them? (I've heard, not only is he scholarly, but, also, accessible to the everyday person, and he writes as someone who's a practicioner (I don't know if Kingsley is some kind of Pagan or worships the Hellenic Gods)?.

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

I'm right there with you, David as far as wanting to learn more. I'll be lurking for sure!

[Intonsus]

Plato's works are always great stepping stones, they introduce you to the father of western philosophy, Socrates. In addition I always found Plato's work easier to read/comprehend and less dry than that of other philosophers.

[David19]

Hey David -

I wrote a blog on this, and I hope it helps.

http://hellenismos.us/b/2008/10/some-thoughts-on-philosophy/


I cannot stress enough reading books *about* philosophy first, it really helps you on the approach to it. :)

Thankyou, I'll definitely be reading that with interest (I'll probably add it to my favourites, to use as a guide) :).


Plato's works are always great stepping stones, they introduce you to the father of western philosophy, Socrates. In addition I always found Plato's work easier to read/comprehend and less dry than that of other philosophers.

Thanks for the recommendation, is there any edition of Plato's works that you'd recommend?, I've seen quite a few in the shops, so, I'm not sure if which edition or translation may be the best. (As an aside, there's so many books on ancient Greece I want to get, like I want to buy a copy of The Iliad and The Odyssey (I've been recommended Richard Lattimore's translations, of which I will get).

Thanks again for the great help :).

[David19]

I'm right there with you, David as far as wanting to learn more. I'll be lurking for sure!

Glad I'm not the only one, what I've been finding out, and I hope this is correct, but, Philosophy in the ancient Hellenic sense of the word, was very different to the modern sense (as in usually dry, academic, not relatable to the everyday person), it seemed, and, again, this is just what I've picked up, to have more in common with the aims of Traditional Yoga in Hindu and Buddhist societies, as a tool of reaching enlightenment. (If any of that info is wrong, please correct me :)).

[Intonsus]

@david

All of them, but the republic is my fav.

[Twinkle]

I've always found philosophy to be mentally taxing. I'm by no means an intellectual, so this stuff doesn't come easily to me.

You know what I started with? Philosophy for Dummies. No lie.

[David19]

I've always found philosophy to be mentally taxing. I'm by no means an intellectual, so this stuff doesn't come easily to me.

You know what I started with? Philosophy for Dummies. No lie.

Actually, I might get that first of all, so, thanks for recommending it :).

[*~Amora~*]

Khaire David,

Concerning philosophy in particular, I think a good place to start is looking into the ethics. I wrote a couple of blog entries on this that provide one perspective, and you can look deeper into the Delphic Maxims and Solon's Commandments.

Helleneste kai Grammateus on the Ethics of Defense (http://helleneste.wordpress.com/2009/09/16/on-ethics-defense-and-spiritualtiy/) - follow the link at the bottom to continue onto the next post on this topic in which three different sources of ethical sayings are compared.

Also, I personally find Aristotle to be rather approachable (compared to Plato). I'd recommend reading up on him.

[David19]

Khaire David,

Concerning philosophy in particular, I think a good place to start is looking into the ethics. I wrote a couple of blog entries on this that provide one perspective, and you can look deeper into the Delphic Maxims and Solon's Commandments.

Helleneste kai Grammateus on the Ethics of Defense (http://helleneste.wordpress.com/2009/09/16/on-ethics-defense-and-spiritualtiy/) - follow the link at the bottom to continue onto the next post on this topic in which three different sources of ethical sayings are compared.

Also, I personally find Aristotle to be rather approachable (compared to Plato). I'd recommend reading up on him.

Thanks for the recommendations :).

[*~Amora~*]

Thanks for the recommendations :).

No problem. My best advice when it comes to the ethics is to look for connections between the sayings and maxims to piece together the proper way to behave. The practice should also be enlightening when looking into the values that the ancients held to and what of those values are applicable today.

[David19]

No problem. My best advice when it comes to the ethics is to look for connections between the sayings and maxims to piece together the proper way to behave. The practice should also be enlightening when looking into the values that the ancients held to and what of those values are applicable today.

Thanks, I'll remember to do that :).