Beyond Hellenistic Epistemology: Arcesilaus and the Destruction of Stoic Metaphysics

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Charles E. Snyder considers the New Academys attacks on Stoic epistemology through a critical re-assessment of the 3rd century philosopher, Arcesilaus of Pitane. Arguing that the standard epistemological framework used to study the ancient Academy ignores the metaphysical dimensions at stake in Arcesilauss critique, Snyder explores new territory for the historiography of Stoic-Academic debates in the early Hellenistic period. Focusing on the dispute between the Old and New Academy, Snyder reveals the metaphysical dimensions of Arcesilaus arguments as essential to grasping what is innovative about the so-called New Academy. Resisting the partiality for epistemology in the historical reconstructions of ancient philosophy, this book defends a new philosophical framework that re-positions Arcesilaus attack on the early Stoa as key to his deviation from the metaphysical foundations of both Stoic and Academic virtue ethics. Drawing on a wide range of scholarship on Hellenistic philosophy in French, Italian, and German, Beyond Hellenistic Epistemology builds bridges between analytical and continental approaches to the historiography of ancient philosophy, and makes an important and disruptive contribution to the literature.

Reviews

Charles Snyder mounts a strong case against the mainstream interpretation that sees the debate between Academics and Stoics in the early Hellenistic period as wholly epistemological by persuasively arguing that such a debate cannot be fully appreciated without paying close attention to its metaphysical background. * Diego Machuca, Researcher in Philosophy, National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Argentina *
Snyder's book is stimulating and fascinating, it goes against the current doxa held by many scholars that the New Academy detached itself from Plato and his immediate successors by favoring epistemology over ontology. This argument offers a more satisfactory vision of the history of the whole Academy and it allows a more subtle and deeper interpretation of the testimonies. * Carlos Lvy, Professor Emeritus, Sorbonne University, France *

Author Bio

Charles E. Snyder teaches the history of philosophy and contemporary political thought at the Bard Prison Initiative and the City University of New York, York College, USA.