The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers

The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers is a work by the ancient Greek writer Diogenes Laërtius. It is a collection of biographies and philosophical teachings of various ancient Greek philosophers. The book is divided into ten books, each focusing on a different school of thought or group of philosophers.

The work covers a wide range of philosophers, spanning from the early pre-Socratic thinkers to the Hellenistic period. Diogenes Laërtius provides information about the lives and beliefs of over 70 philosophers, including well-known figures like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and the Stoics such as Zeno and Epictetus.

The biographical accounts in the book often include anecdotes, stories, and legends about the philosophers, as well as their teachings and philosophical doctrines. Diogenes Laërtius aimed to present a comprehensive overview of the various philosophical schools and traditions in ancient Greece, as well as to preserve their teachings for future generations.

While "The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers" is a valuable resource for understanding the history of ancient philosophy, it is important to note that Diogenes Laërtius wrote the work several centuries after the philosophers he described had lived. As a result, the accuracy and reliability of some of the information and anecdotes provided in the book have been a subject of scholarly debate.

Nonetheless, the work remains an important source for studying ancient Greek philosophy and provides insights into the lives, beliefs, and contributions of eminent philosophers of the time. It offers a glimpse into the diverse range of philosophical ideas that shaped Western thought and continues to be studied and referenced by scholars in the field.

Diogenes Laërtius was an ancient Greek biographer and writer who is best known for his work The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers.Not much is known about his personal life, and the exact dates of his birth and death are uncertain. It is believed that he lived during the 3rd century CE, though some scholars place him earlier, in the 2nd century CE.

Translator: C. D. Yonge