Ancient Philosophy

Why is it always hard to fall asleep the night before an important meeting? Or be charming and relaxed on a first date? What is it about a politician who seems wooden or a comedian whose jokes fall flat or an athlete who chokes? In all of these cases, striving seems to backfire. In Trying Not To Try, Edward Slingerland explains why we find spontaneity so elusive, and shows how early Chinese thought points the way to happier, more authentic lives.

Unlock the Secrets of Two Mystical Traditions Are you ready to embark on a journey that will transform your understanding of the spiritual world? Sufi and Druze Mysticism: Exploring the Unknown invites you to discover the hidden wisdom of two ancient paths that have intrigued and inspired seekers for centuries. Dive into the profound teachings of Al-Hallaj, a Sufi mystic whose timeless wisdom continues to echo across the ages. Experience the power of his words, the intensity of his devotion, and the daring courage that led him to the ultimate truth. Explore the enigmatic Druze faith, a ...

This famous work by Lucretius is a masterpiece of didactic poetry, and it still stands today as the finest exposition of Epicurean philosophy ever written. The poem was produced in the middle of first century B.C., a period that was to witness a flowering of Latin literature unequaled for beauty and intellectual power in subsequent ages. The Latin title, De Rerum Natura, translates literally to On the Nature of Things and is meant to impress the reader with the breadth and depth of Epicurean philosophy.

From the moderator of The New York Times philosophy blog "The Stone", an audiobook that argues that if we want to understand ourselves, we have to go back to theater, to the stage of our lives.

“I didn’t think he’d do it. I really didn’t think he would. I thought he’d say, whoa, hold on, wait a minute. We made a deal, remember, the land, the blessing, the nation, the descendants as numerous as the sands on the shore and the stars in the sky.” So begins James Goodman’s original and urgent encounter with one of the most compelling and resonant stories ever told - God’s command to Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac.

Explore the captivating history and mythology of three ancient civilizations. Three captivating manuscripts in one audiobook! In the first part of this captivating guide, you will discover why Maya have gained such worldwide admiration over the many other civilizations that existed in Mesoamerica at the time. You will learn how the Maya civilization developed, the major turning points in their 3,000-year-long history, the mysteries surrounding their demise, some of the unique places where Maya exist to this day, and much more!

The "Dao-De Jing" is the most famous and unfathomable work of Chinese philosophical inheritance. It is unique among the other classical ‘guidebooks’ in providing a practical method, by which one can effect this experiential learning of the absolute Dao. As a canon, it is a symbolic work and its symbols transcend its context. When this is properly understood, all 81 sections of it divided into nine divisions and two halves have universal application. Any attempt to translate them with no account taken of the numerological and symbolical systems means to remove them entirely from ...

The Greco-Persian Wars are often portrayed as a battle between good and evil. This is simultaneously an exaggeration and an oversimplification, but there is no doubt that this war, or series of wars, fought between some of the most powerful civilizations of the ancient era helped to plot the course of human history that we have been following up until this very day.

Discover the Blueprint for a Life Worth Living For over two thousand years, Aristotle’s Eudemian Ethics has guided thinkers, leaders, and seekers on the path to true fulfillment. Now, The Eudemian Ethics for Beginners makes this profound philosophy accessible to everyone, breaking down complex ideas into actionable steps for living a life of purpose, virtue, and balance. What’s inside this transformative guide? A clear and engaging introduction to Aristotle’s timeless wisdom—no philosophy degree required. Practical insights into his concept of eudaimonia, the ultimate goal of human ...

Whenever we worry about what to eat, how to love, or simply how to be happy, we are worrying about how to lead a good life. No goal is more elusive. In How to Be a Stoic, philosopher Massimo Pigliucci offers Stoicism, the ancient philosophy that inspired the great emperor Marcus Aurelius, as the best way to attain it. Stoicism is a pragmatic philosophy that teaches us to act depending on what is within our control and separate things worth getting upset about from those that are not.

The dead have been buried. Silence is broken. And secrets refuse to stay where they lay. As the troop pushes east toward Harper’s Creek, the weight of their survival in Windyspring lingers—along with a growing fear of what lies ahead. Tommy’s power evolves beyond even the elves’ understanding, and Arisaylia begins to question whether the path she and her son will walk was ever theirs to choose. Back in Redtail Hold, Sella finds herself drawn into a role far greater—and more dangerous—than her songs alone. Her rising influence in the eyes of the elves threatens the balance of the...

Transcendentalism embodies the concept that people have a deeper and more profound understanding of the world around them than simply by what they can glimpse with their senses. In this collection of essays and poems, the works of three transcendentalist authors are shared, each with their own impressions and opinions supporting the movement.

Discover the wisdom of the East through one woman’s transformative journey. When life in New York City leaves Emma feeling unfulfilled, she begins a journey that will take her across the world and through some of humanity’s most profound teachings. From the mindfulness practices of Buddhism to the harmonious living of Taoism, and the meditative simplicity of Zen, Emma immerses herself in the heart of each tradition, discovering insights that resonate far beyond her daily life. In this captivating exploration, each chapter offers a narrative-driven entry into a different Eastern ...

Discover the timeless power of Plato’s philosophy and how it can transform your modern life. In this accessible and engaging guide, The Wisdom of Plato explores the key ideas of one of history’s greatest thinkers and shows you how to apply them to everyday challenges—from personal growth and relationships to politics and ethical leadership. Through clear explanations and practical examples, this book unpacks Plato’s core teachings: the World of Forms, the Allegory of the Cave, the nature of justice, the balance of the soul, Platonic love, and the role of the philosopher in society. ...

Over two millennia ago, the prescient insights of Anaximander paved the way for cosmology, physics, geography, meteorology, and biology, setting in motion a new way of seeing the world. His legacy includes the revolutionary ideas that the Earth floats in a void, that animals evolved, that the world can be understood in natural rather than supernatural terms, and that universal laws govern all phenomena. In this elegant work, the renowned theoretical physicist Carlo Rovelli brings to light the importance of Anaximander’s overlooked influence on modern science

“Education is the art of making men ethical”—Georg F. W. Hegel, Philosophy of Right Both reason and unreason exist in this world. The sublime and the ridiculous are inseparable. The enigmatic force called “daemonism” by Goethe can erupt and overturn all our calculations. Mikhail Lifshitz argued that the dualistic worldview of ancient and primitive mythologies splendidly reflects this realistic picture of the universe. We associate myth with wild and entirely improbable stories, but a kernel of universal truth resides within them. That truth can serve as our guide toward becoming ...

Dive into the esoteric realms of ancient wisdom with "The Kybalion: A Study of The Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greece" by The Three Initiates. Unveiling the profound teachings of Hermeticism, this timeless guide invites listeners to explore the hidden principles that have influenced mystics, philosophers, and seekers of knowledge for centuries.

A concise and elegant treatise on occultism and high magic in Greece and Egypt, The Kybalion: A Study of the Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greece will introduce you to the seven hermetic principles, a foundation upon which one can build their own personal spiritual path.

All effective debaters, whether they know it or not, employ Aristotle's 3 basic principles of effective argument that form the spine of Rhetoric. In Poetics, Aristotle draws a dramatic distinction between poetry and history. This collection also includes Aristotle's body of work that has come to be identified as Logic.

Throughout the course, students learn that most of the great scientists who lived from AD 500 to the end of this time period were devout Christians who did science because they thought they could learn more about God by studying his handiwork.