"Cornford arrived at a picture of the origins of Greek philosophy which was historically superior to that which anyone else has so far reached." — The Classical Review. This exploration of early Western philosophy traces the religious roots of science and systematic speculation. Cornford, a distinguished historian of ancient philosophy, combines deep classical scholarship with anthropological and sociological insights to examine the mythic precursors of enduring metaphysical concepts — such as destiny, God, the soul, substance, nature, and immortality.

From Religion to Philosophy: A Study in the Origins of Western Speculation

Politics & Social Sciences

Cornford, F. M.

Philosophy

Dover Publications

The Unwritten Philosophy and Other Essays

This is a 1950 collection of eight essays about Plato and the Presocratic philosophers who were F. M. Cornford's particular interest in the field of Greek thought. In the essay that gives the collection its title Cornford develops the two complementary themes which run through much of his writing: the effects of individual style and human character which must be reckoned with in reconstructing a philosopher's system from fragments or interpreting a complete philosophic work; and the influence of abstract schemes of conception which the philosopher assumes within his cultural tradition. These themes recur in essays discussing Pythagoras, Hesiod and Plato. Cornford's enthusiasm for his subject will communicate itself to any reader. In the memoir of Cornford which accompanies the essays Professor W. K. C. Guthrie describes the Hellenic qualities of Cornford's writing: 'the living symmetry of form, the grace and delicacy of the details, the humour, irony and occasional fantasy enlivening a fundamentally serious theme'.

Literature & Fiction

Cambridge University Press

Thucydides Mythistoricus (Routledge Revivals)

First published in 1907 and reissued in 1965, this is a fascinating study of Thucydides’s History. Thucydides set out to write a truthful account of the Pelopennesian war, but his work reflects his Athenian fourth-century B.C. context, which was of a particular interest to Cornford. In this fascinating title, Cornford analyses the causes of the war as shown by Thucydides and other sources, and then goes on to comment on the History.

Dramas & Plays

Routledge

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Books by Cornford, F. M.