The Heirs of Plato: a study of the Old Academy

The Heirs of Plato: a study of the Old Academy

"The Heirs of Plato is the first book exclusively devoted to an in-depth study of the various directions in philosophy taken by Plato's followers in the first seventy years or so following his death in 347 B.C. - the period generally known as 'The Old Academy'. Speusippus, Xenocrates, and Polemon, the three successive heads of the Academy in this period, though personally devoted to the memory of Plato, were independent philosophers in their own right, and felt free to develop his heritage in individual directions. This is also true of other personalities attached to the school, such as Philippus of Opus, Heraclides of Pontus, and Crantor of Soli." "Dillon's clear and accessible book fills a significant gap in our understanding of Plato's immediate philosophical influence, and will be of great value to scholars and historians of ancient philosophy."--Jacket.

John Dillon

Oxford : Clarendon Press ; New York : Oxford University Press

The riddle of academy -- Speusippus and the search for an adequate system of principles -- Xenocrates and the systematization of platonism -- Polemo, champion of ethical praxis -- Minor figures : Philippus of Opus, Hermodorus of Syracuse, Heraclides of Pontus, Crantor of Soli -- Epilogue : Arcesilaus and the turn to scepticism.

Book