Thinking Being Introduction to Metaphysics in the Classical Tradition
Thinking Being: Introduction to Metaphysics in the Classical Tradition by Eric D. Perl, published by Brill in 2014, offers a thorough exploration of key philosophical concepts surrounding the nature of reality as articulated by influential thinkers such as Parmenides, Plato, Aristotle, Plotinus, and Aquinas. This 216-page edition, presented in English, emphasizes the continuity of thought and being, tracing how these ideas evolve and interconnect throughout classical philosophy.
Readers will find a detailed examination of how these philosophers contribute to a cohesive understanding of metaphysics, with a particular focus on the relationship between thought and being. Perl’s analysis reveals how Aristotle builds on Plato’s insights and how Aquinas aligns with Plotinus, positioning Neoplatonism as a central thread in the development of Western metaphysical thought. This work invites readers to reconsider the traditional narratives surrounding the history of philosophy, highlighting the interconnectedness of ancient and classical ideas.
Official synopsis Publisher
In Thinking Being, Eric Perl articulates central ideas and arguments regarding the nature of reality in Parmenides, Plato, Aristotle, Plotinus, and Aquinas. He shows that, throughout this tradition, these ideas proceed from and return to the indissoluble togetherness of thought and being, first clearly expressed by Parmenides. The emphasis throughout is on continuity rather than opposition: Aristotle appears as a follower of Plato in identifying being as intelligible form, and Aquinas as a follower of Plotinus in locating the first principle “beyond being”. Hence Neoplatonism, itself a coherent development of Platonic thought, comes to be seen as the mainstream of classical philosophy. Perl’s book thus contributes to a revisionist understanding of the fundamental outlines of the western tradition in metaphysics.
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