Concepts of Space in Greek Thought

This work studies ancient Greek theories of physical space and place, in particular those of the classical and Hellenistic period. These theories are explained primarily with reference to the general philosophical or methodological framework within which they took shape. Special attention is paid to the nature and status of the sources. Two introductory chapters deal with the interrelations between various concepts of space and with Greek spatial terminology (including case studies of the Eleatics, Democritus and Epicurus). The remaining chapters contain detailed studies on the theories of space of Plato, Aristotle, the early Peripatetics and the Stoics. This book should be of particular interest for historians of ancient physics, but may also be of interest to students of Aristotelian dialect, ancient metaphysics, doxography and medieval and early modern physics.

Review:

'This is a very detailed, well-informed examination of the related concepts of place, space, and the void in classical and Hellenistic Greek philosophy. Recommended for research libraries.' J. Bussanich, Choice, 1995. 'This utmost interesting and diligently written book facilitates its study considerably by including introductions and conclusions for every chapter.' Eberhard Knobloch, Mathematical Reviews, 1996.