Natural Spectaculars : Aspects of Plutarch’s Philosophy of Nature

• Type: Book
• Date: 2015

Authors

Meeusen, Michiel (Editor) Other; Stockt, Luc van der (Editor) Other

Publisher

Leuven University Press

Leuven

Scientific classification

FOS: Humanities

Other information

Abstract (EN): The value of Plutarch’s perception of physical reality and his attitude towards the natural spectacle. Plutarch was very interested in the natural world around him, not only in terms of its elementary composition and physical processes, but also with respect to its providential ordering and marvels. His writings teach us a lot about his perception of physical reality and about his attitude to the natural spectacle. He found his greatest inspiration in the ontological and epistemological framework of Plato’s Timaeus, but a wide range of other authors were also of seminal interest to his project. Moreover, the highly literary value of Plutarch’s natural philosophical writings should not be underrated. It is therefore not surprising that recently scholars have started to reassess the ancient scientific value of Plutarch’s natural philosophical writings. Natural Spectaculars aims to give further impetus to this dynamic by treating several aspects of Plutarch’s natural philosophy which have remained unexplored up to now.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 254

ISBN: 978-94-6270-043-7

Collection: Plutarchea Hypomnemata