Diogenes Laërtius

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Diogenes Laërtius was a biographer of the Greek philosophers, who is believed to have lived during the 3rd century AD. He is best known for his work Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, a crucial source of information on the lives and teachings of many ancient Greek philosophers.

Biography

Little is known about the life of Diogenes Laërtius. His name suggests that he may have been from the city of Laërte in Cilicia, although this is not certain. The exact dates of his birth and death are unknown, but he is generally thought to have lived during the 3rd century AD.

Works

Diogenes Laërtius is primarily known for his work Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers (Greek: Βίοι καὶ γνώμαι τῶν ἐν φιλοσοφίᾳ εὐδοκιμησάντων), which is a compilation of the biographies of Greek philosophers. This work is divided into ten books and covers the lives and teachings of philosophers from the Pre-Socratic period to the Hellenistic era.

Structure

The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers is organized by philosophical schools, with each book dedicated to a different school or group of philosophers. The work includes anecdotes, sayings, and summaries of philosophical doctrines, making it an invaluable resource for understanding ancient Greek philosophy.

Content

The work covers a wide range of philosophers, including:

• Thales
• Pythagoras
• Heraclitus
• Socrates
• Plato
• Aristotle
• Epicurus

Diogenes Laërtius provides not only biographical details but also insights into the philosophical ideas and contributions of these figures. His work is one of the few surviving sources that offer a comprehensive overview of ancient Greek philosophy.

Influence and Legacy

Diogenes Laërtius's work has been a significant source for later historians and philosophers. It has preserved many details about the lives and thoughts of philosophers that might otherwise have been lost. His anecdotes and quotations have been used by scholars to reconstruct the history of Greek philosophy.

Criticism

While Diogenes Laërtius's work is invaluable, it is not without its criticisms. Some scholars have noted that his accounts can be anecdotal and sometimes lack critical analysis. Nevertheless, his compilation remains a crucial text for the study of ancient philosophy.

See also

• Ancient Greek philosophy
• Philosophical schools of the Hellenistic period

References

• Diogenes Laërtius, Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers
• Smith, William, Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology

External links

• Diogenes Laërtius at Project Gutenberg