Which book on the pre-Socratics should I get? These are the ones I'm considering:
>Philosophy Before Socrates by Richard D. McKirahan
>Early Greek Philosophy by Jonathan Barnes
>The First Philosophers: The Presocratics and Sophists by Robin Waterfield
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I really liked Meditations by Marcus Aurelius.
First philosophers is a great intro with helpful annotations and a structure that quickly becomes comfortable, although I would recommend reading the fragments before Waterfield's commentary/synopsis so you can actually explore a little on your own before being spoon-fed.
Have you read much philosophy? If this is your first step then don't sweat these guys too much. You won't really be able to appreciate why their works are as significant as so many people say they are, so just get through them. Ideally you'll return to them later (at which point you may want to try a different edition) and see them in a new light.
I've taken a scattershot approach to philosophy, and I've now decided to go back and read stuff in chronological order (roughly).
Mckirahan
100%
The others (oxford/penguin/and two others I forgot the name of and can't look up since I'm on my phone atm) don't come close. A while back I downloaded them all and compared them, and McKirahan just shits on the rest in scope (for instance, Hesiod is included and compared with the standard presocratics), clarity (even has diagrams), quality of translation, and thoroughness of commentary. He compares contrasting views clearly and doesn't just advocate his own like waterfield for instance.
In addition, the presocratics reader by Hackett could be a nice supplement, as it's the same/similar translations of all the fragments with a little introduction per person.
...
Cool, thanks.
This.
It includes the texts in Latin, Ancient Greek, and English, along with commentary. It's a bit expensive, though.
I remember somebody posting something (link to a website iirc), that laid out a remarkably thorough outline of texts of Western philosophy (I think I remember both primary and secondary texts, but a heavy emphasis on the former). The only other helpful detail I think I remember is a variety of font colors used, particularly blue, red, and maybe green.
Anyone have any clue what I'm talking about? Haven't been able to track it down in the archives. I think I saw it something in the realm of 6-9 months ago.
Also:
You seem like you might actually know what you're talking about. Any thoughts on
?
This guy gets it. McKirahan (2nd ed.) is the best at that price range.
If money is no obstacle and you intend to specialize in Presocratics, then get this one: