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Full Idea
The history of philosophy consists in a series of choices between three primordial rivals: Plato, Aristotle and Democritus.
Gist of Idea
Philosophy consists of choosing between Plato, Aristotle and Democritus
Source
Robert Pasnau (Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 [2011], 05.1)
Book Ref
Pasnau,Robert: 'Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671' [OUP 2011], p.77
A Reaction
Pasnau's point is that the importance of Democritus is not usually appreciated. As far as I can see, Democritus may have been the greatest of all philosophers, but most of his works are lost. His fragments are the best fragments.
Related Idea
Idea 18730 The history of philosophy only matters if the subject is a choice between rival theories [Wittgenstein]
19579 | The history of philosophy is just experiments in how to do philosophy [Novalis] |
19441 | All philosophies presuppose their historical moment, and arise from it [Feuerbach] |
8000 | He who is ignorant of the history of philosophy is doomed to repeat it [Santayana, by MacIntyre] |
18730 | The history of philosophy only matters if the subject is a choice between rival theories [Wittgenstein] |
21844 | The history of philosophy is an agent of power: how can you think if you haven't read the great names? [Deleuze] |
13860 | We can only learn from philosophers of the past if we accept the risk of major misrepresentation [Wright,C] |
16604 | Philosophy consists of choosing between Plato, Aristotle and Democritus [Pasnau] |
16606 | Original philosophers invariably seek inspiration from past thinkers [Pasnau] |