The philosopher Alfred North Whitehead once said that all of Western philosophy was "but a series of footnotes to Plato." By the same token, one could argue that all of Western civilization is but an extension of the ancient Greek cultural legacy. The Greeks invented tragedy, comedy, lyric poetry, history, philosophy, and democracy. They also made remarkable advances in science, medicine, and mathematics. In the author’s view, what ties this wide-ranging intellectual ferment together is a restless search for wisdom. The author looks at ten outstanding examples of Greek wisdom, offering fresh and engaging portraits of the epic poets (Homer, Hesiod); dramatists (Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes); historians (Herodotus, Thucydides); and philosophers (Plato, Aristotle) against the background of Greek history. In each case he asks what the author has to tell us— regardless of genre—about our place in the world and how we should live our lives. By surveying some of the highest peaks of ancient civilization, the author argues that we gain perspective on the historical terrain that lies below. This book presents an eloquent and convincing case that a study of the Greek classics, as Gustave Flaubert explained, makes us "greater, wiser, purer."

Truth to some may be what is seen in the natural universe. Truth to some may be what is expressed by some individual who seems to be successful or charismatic. Truth to some may be what the Bible says. Truth to some may span a complex variety of issues, and to others, to be quite simple. Webster's Dictionary says to attain wisdom a person must have good sense, good judgment, insight, and knowledge. Does that limit the number of persons who can have wisdom? This search for truth and wisdom comes from the perspectives of Western culture, scientific approach, logic, reason, and monotheistic philosophies. Monotheism encompasses Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and some other lesser-known belief systems. This subject might be treated differently from the perspectives of Eastern cultures, emotion, mysticism, or more spiritual concepts and polytheistic religious philosophies. The latter perspectives are not discussed here. This work addresses some aspects of the concepts of truth. Questions are asked and answers are suggested. Original Greek scripture is referenced rather than any translation or interpretation that could have been influenced by a particular theological philosophy, organized church, church tradition, or seminary. I propose a third concept to add to Evolution and Creation, or Intelligent design--the Eternal or Forever concept--everything has simply always been and always will be. No beginning and no end. I discuss aspects of the nature of man. I discuss intelligence, intellectualism, and education. I discuss global intelligence and terrorism in the world of today. I discuss dualisms in American culture. I discuss science and our limited view in space and time. I discuss difficult or significant passages in the Bible, with emphasis on the original Greek.

The Roman "philosophy of life" as mirrored in the literature of ten outstanding representative authors Though Rome conquered much of the world and established an empire that lasted more than a millennium, its citizens sometimes expressed a sense of inferiority to the intellectual accomplishments of ancient Greece. The notion that Roman philosophers, thinkers, and writers were just pale imitations of Greek originals has persisted to this day. Even the great Roman poet Horace wrote, "Captive Greece took its Roman captor captive,/ Invading uncouth Latium with its arts." Michael K. Kellogg puts this notion to rest in this lively, very readable overview of Roman literature. The author uncovers many examples of Roman wisdom, showing that the Roman contribution to intellectual history is considerable and need not take second place to ancient Greek literature. Kellogg offers fresh and engaging portraits of poets (Lucretius, Virgil, Horace, Ovid); dramatists (Plautus, Terence, Seneca); biographers (Plutarch, Suetonius); historians (Livy, Tacitus); and philosophers (Cicero, Marcus Aurelius), against the background of Roman history. The contemporary reader will come away from this excellent survey with the realization that even today our culture still bears the lasting imprint of ancient Rome.

This book provides a case for the de-stigmatisation of ethnophilosophy by demonstrating its continuing relevance in contemporary African philosophy. The book brings together established and brilliant young scholars who defend ethnophilosophy as a unique source of African philosophy with the capacity to colour African philosophical scholarship, thereby distinguishing African philosophy from other philosophical traditions of the world and setting the stage for philosophical dialogue in the 21st century characterised by multiculturalism and globalisation. The volume addresses the future of African philosophy by closely linking the past of this tradition with the exciting projects of the contemporary system builders whose works emerge from the ethnophilosophical while transcending it. The book is aimed at African philosophy experts, scholars of intercultural philosophy, African studies scholars and graduate students of African and intercultural philosophy.