Philosophy: Ancient: Heraclitus

Edited with an introd. and commentary by G.S. Kirk.

Behind the superficial obscurity of what fragments we have of Heraclitus' thought, Professor Kahn claims that it is possible to detect a systematic view of human existence, a theory of language which sees ambiguity as a device for the expression of multiple meaning, and a vision of human life and death within the larger order of nature. The fragments are presented here in a readable order; translation and commentary aim to make accessible the power and originality of a systematic thinker and the first great master of artistic prose. The commentary locates Heraclitus within the tradition of early Greek thought, but stresses the importance of his ideas for contemporary theories of language, literature and philosophy.

Contents: Remarks on the difference between Fink's and Heidegger's approaches to Heraclitus / Friedrich-Wilhelm von Herrmann -- Hegel Heidegger Heraclitus / David Farrell Krell -- Man and disclosure / Kenneth Maly -- Hades : Heraclitus, Fragment B 98 / John Sallis -- Fire and logos : the speech of fire and its contradictions / Ruben Berezdivin -- Physis, Sophia, Psyche / Daniel Guerriere -- Heraclitus : fire, dream, and oracle / Frank A. Capuzzi

This volume contains the proceedings of a conference on the Presocratic philosophers Pythagoras and Heraclitus. Investigated by a team of international scholars are key problems in doxography, Pythagorean Communities, logos, harmony, psychology, flux, number theory, ethics, and theology. Designed for all students of ancient philosophy, this volume will spur further investigations into these cardinal concerns of early Greek scientific thinkers.