(2/2) THE LIVES AND OPINIONS OF EMINENT PHILOSOPHERS BY DIOGENES LAËRTIUS.. Audiobook, full length

Full-length audiobook for free | Classics collection / best-sellers and more. Full text, easy to read.
Diogenes Laërtius' Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers: A Comprehensive Summary

Diogenes Laërtius' "Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers" is a comprehensive and invaluable resource for understanding the lives, teachings, and philosophies of ancient Greek thinkers. Written in the 3rd century AD, this extensive work encompasses the lives of over 80 philosophers, ranging from the Presocratics to the Epicureans.

Structure and Organization

Laërtius' work is divided into ten books, each dedicated to a specific group of philosophers or philosophical school. The books follow a consistent structure, presenting biographical information, anecdotes, and summaries of the philosopher's teachings. Laërtius' approach is largely doxographic, meaning he focuses on reporting the views of others rather than offering his own interpretations.

Key Features and Contributions

Laërtius' work is remarkable for its scope and breadth, providing a rich tapestry of philosophical thought. It offers valuable insights into the personal lives, intellectual struggles, and philosophical contributions of these influential thinkers.

Biographical Accounts: Laërtius provides detailed biographical sketches of each philosopher, including their origins, education, teachers, and notable events in their lives. These accounts offer a glimpse into the personal context in which these philosophers developed their ideas.

Anecdotes and Sayings: Laërtius interweaves biographical information with a wealth of anecdotes and sayings attributed to each philosopher. These often provide colorful and illuminating insights into their personalities, habits, and philosophical approaches.

Doctrinal Summaries: Laërtius presents summaries of the key tenets of each philosopher's teachings, offering a concise overview of their philosophical systems. This is particularly valuable for understanding the evolution of Greek philosophical thought.

Source Material: Laërtius' work serves as a repository of quotations and references to other ancient sources, providing valuable clues for further research and exploration of Greek philosophy.

Criticisms and Limitations

While Laërtius' work is a monumental achievement, it is not without its limitations. Critics have pointed out:

Uncritical Compilation: Laërtius' approach is largely compilatory, and he often fails to offer critical analysis or evaluation of the philosophies he presents.

Anecdotal Emphasis: Laërtius' reliance on anecdotes and sayings sometimes overshadows the systematic presentation of philosophical doctrines.

Limited Philosophical Insight: Laërtius' own philosophical understanding is sometimes questioned, and his work may not fully reflect the nuances and complexities of the philosophies he presents.

Despite these limitations, Laërtius' "Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers" remains an essential resource for understanding the history of Greek philosophy. Its comprehensive scope, wealth of biographical and doctrinal information, and engaging anecdotes make it a valuable source for both scholars and casual readers alike.

BOOK VII. 00:00:00
BOOK VIII. 03:07:45
BOOK IX. 04:28:28
BOOK X. 06:17:59
More: ancient philosophy, Diogenes Laërtius, lives of philosophers
opinions of philosophers, stoicism, epicureanism
cyrenaicism, platonism, aristotelianism
history of philosophy, audiobook, full length