Sextus Empiricus

Description

Sextus Empiricus' Against the Physicists examines numerous topics central to ancient Greek inquiries into the nature of the physical world, covering subjects such as god, cause and effect, whole and part, bodies, place, motion, time, number, coming into being and perishing and is the most extensive surviving treatment of these topics by an ancient Greek sceptic. Sextus scrutinizes the theories of non-sceptical thinkers and generates suspension of judgement through the assembly of equally powerful opposing arguments. Richard Bett's edition provides crucial background information about the text and elucidation of difficult passages. His accurate and readable translation is supported by substantial interpretative aids, including a glossary and a list of parallel passages relating Against the Physicists to other works by Sextus. This is an indispensable edition for advanced students and scholars studying this important work by an influential philosopher.

Richard Bett is Professor of Philosophy and Classics at The Johns Hopkins University. He is the author of Pyrrho, his Antecedents and his Legacy (2000) and of translations of Sextus Empiricus' Against the Ethicists, with commentary (1997) and Against the Logicians, with notes (Cambridge, 2005). He is the editor of The Cambridge Companion to Ancient Scepticism (Cambridge, 2010).

"...Bett supplements his excellent translation with helpful secondary materials, including a valuable and rich provision of footnotes (over 300) discussing philological and textual as well as philosophical and substantive issues. The result is not only a translation of great fidelity and precision - sure to become the standard - but an edition of Sextus' work that will benefit both students and scholars interested in ancient physics and skepticism.... Bett has combined a readable yet faithful translation with a conscientious, erudite and intelligent commentary. His edition approaches asymptotically the experience of a philosophically informed encounter with the source text..." -- Clifford Roberts, Cornell University, Bryn Mawr Classical Review