On Academic Scepticism

"Brittain's On Academic Scepticism is more than a translation.  It is a thorough introduction to the study of one of Cicero's most important philosophical dialogues, a work which is the key to understanding Hellenistic scepticism and a great deal of the Latin philosophical tradition shaped by Cicero.  The translation is sharp and philosophically sensitive without betraying Cicero's elegant style; the Introduction (historical, philosophical, and philological) is compact, lucid, and authoritative.  At last this important work is accessible to those who do not read Latin; even those who do will turn to Brittain's book as a fundamental resource for years to come."
     —Brad Inwood, Canada Research Chair in Ancient Philosophy, University of Toronto

SKU
26425g

Cicero
Translated, with Introduction and Notes, by Charles Brittain

2006 - 224 pp.

Ebook edition available for $14.50, see purchasing links below.

Grouped product items
Format ISBN Price Qty
Cloth 978-0-87220-775-2
$44.00
Paper 978-0-87220-774-5
$18.00

Charles Brittain's elegant new translation of Cicero's Academica makes available for the first time a readable and accurate translation into modern English of this complex yet crucial source of our knowledge of the epistemological debates between the skeptical Academics and the Stoics.

Brittain's masterly Introduction, generous notes, English–Latin–Greek Glossary, and Index further commend this edition to the attention of students of Hellenistic philosophy at all levels.

 

Reviews:

"Brittain's On Academic Scepticism is more than a translation.  It is a thorough introduction to the study of one of Cicero's most important philosophical dialogues, a work which is the key to understanding Hellenistic scepticism and a great deal of the Latin philosophical tradition shaped by Cicero.  The translation is sharp and philosophically sensitive without betraying Cicero's elegant style; the Introduction (historical, philosophical, and philological) is compact, lucid, and authoritative.  At last this important work is accessible to those who do not read Latin; even those who do will turn to Brittain's book as a fundamental resource for years to come."
     —Brad Inwood, Canada Research Chair in Ancient Philosophy, University of Toronto

 

“A splendid volume.  Brittain's translation of the Academica is among the very best recent translations of an ancient philosophical text.  This translation, together with the wealth of supplementary material Brittain provides, will allow readers who do not know Latin but are interested in the philosophical problems under discussion in the Academica to engage with Cicero's difficult text.”
     —Casey Perin, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

 

About the Author:

Charles Brittain is Associate Professor of Classics, Cornell University.