The Origins of Civilization in Greek and Roman Thought (Routledge Revivals)

The Origins of Civilization in Greek and Roman Thought, first published in1986, comprehensively examines to what extent thinkers in Greek and Roman antiquity adhered to ideas of evolution and progress in human affairs. . Beginning with creation myths Professor Blundell goes on to explore the origins of scientific speculation among the Pre-Socratics, its development into the teleological science of Aristotle, and the advent of the progressivist views of the Stoics. Attention is also given to the `primitivist¿ debate, involving ideas about the noble savage and reflections of such speculation in poetry, and finally the relationship between nature and culture in ancient thought is investigated.