"The philosophy of Epictetus, a freed slave in the Roman Empire, has been profoundly influential on Western thought: it offers not only stimulating ideas but practical guidance in living one's life. A.A. Long gives the definitive presentation of the thought of Epictetus for a broad readership. Long's translations of a selection of the best of Epictetus' discourses show that his ideas are as valuable and striking today as they were almost two thousand...

The Western tradition of philosophy began in Greece with a cluster of thinkers often called the Presocratics. All these thinkers are discussed in this volume both as individuals and collectively in chapters on specific topics.