Hellenistic Philosophy

I highly recommend John Sellar's book Hellenistic Philosophy. It's thematic rather than strictly chronological treatment of the Hellenistic period is very readable. I find the style to be objective yet intriguing, and there are plenty of references conveniently at the bottom of each page to support the premises made and for those wanting to delve even deeper. The Hellenistic philosophies seem to have been usurped in modern times by a focus on Plato and Aristotle, yet the other intellectual descendants of Socrates such as the Skeptics, Stoics and Epicurians covered in Sellar's book deserve at least as much consideration for the modern reader, and more significantly the modern practitioner, of philosophy.

Sellars does an excellent job of tracing connections between the various Hellenistic schools, both historically and in terms of overlapping areas of interest, and therapeutic techniques.

Very enjoyable reading.

This thematic survey brings the ideas and philosophers from Stocism, Epicureanism, Skepticism, the Peripatetics, Platonic Academics, and Pyrrhonism together in conversation. The Hellenistic period was highly cosmopolitan and covers the time from the death of Alexander the Great through roughly Cicero. I really enjoyed this book. It was given to me, not purchased here, but I have rarely had so much fun reading an academic book.

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