Calling Philosophers Names: On the Origin of a Discipline

Mehr zum Buch

This original and provocative work illuminates the origins of the term "philosopher" in ancient Greece by exploring its early meanings. Christopher Moore traces the evolution of philosophos over its first two centuries, showing that it initially referred to aspiring political sages and advice-givers, then to conversationalists about virtue, and finally to investigators examining the nature of those conversations. Contrary to the common belief that philosophers have always "loved wisdom," Moore reveals that they were often mocked for their unrealistic expectations of gaining social status or authority through their discussions and studies. Taking a fresh approach to the history of early Greek philosophy, the book investigates who was labeled philosophos and why, and how this terminology contributed to the discipline's emergence. Drawing on diverse evidence, it illustrates how a term that began as a wry reference to a distant political group evolved into a concept representing a life of self-improvement through research, reflection, and deliberation. Early philosophy aimed to justify its seemingly dubious pursuits, and this foundational quest for legitimacy offers new insights into the discipline's history and its broader influence.