Isonomia and the Origins of Philosophy

Kōjin Karatani is an internationally renowned theorist and philosopher. Previously, he was a professor at Hosei University in Tokyo, Kinki University in Osaka, and Columbia University. He is the author of numerous books, including The Structure of World History: From Modes of Production to Modes of Exchange and Origins of Modern Japanese Literature, both also published by Duke University Press.

• Translator's Note  viiMap  viiiAuthor's Preface to the Japanese Edition  ixIntroductionUniversal Religion  1Ethical Prophets   5Exemplary Prophets  71. Ionian Society and ThoughtAthens and Ionia  11Isonomia and Democracy  14Athenian Democracy  17State and Democracy  20Colonization and Isonomia  22Iceland and North America  26Isonomia and Council  312, The Background of Ionian Natural PhilosophyNatural Philosophy and Ethics  35Hippocrates  39Herodotus  42Homer  46Hesiod  513. The Essential Points of Ionian Natural PhilosophyThe Critique of Religion  56Self-Moving Matter  58Poiesis and Becoming  624. Post-Ionian ThoughtPythagoras  68Heraclitus  80Parmenides  87Post-Eliatics  965. Socrates and EmpireThe Athenian Empire and Democracy  103Sophists and Rule by Rhetoric  107The Trial of Socrates  110The Riddle of Socrates  114Daimon  118The Socratic Method  121Plato and Pythagoras  125The Philosopher-King  127Isonomia and the Philosopher-King  130Appendix. From Structure of World History to Isonomia and the Origins of Philosophy  135Timeline of the Ancient World  141Notes  143Bibliography  155Index  159

"A work of historical importance, this book should be read by all who are interested in the innumerable conflicts that beset the contemporary world. Essential." - J. A. Fischel (Choice) "Karatani’s Isonomia and the Origins of Philosophy is a deceptively complex work that offers numerous transdisciplinary insights for the philosophically initiated and uninitiated alike. And while its true value may be its intellectual historical angle – namely, its fascinating re-presentation of the history of Greek philosophy – Isonomia is a very worthwhile part of Karatani’s broader effort to offer readers an illuminating systematic perspective from which to view our contemporary political and philosophical situation." - Brendan Harvey (Marx & Philosophy Review of Books) "Provocative, wide-ranging, and very clearly written, Isonomia and the Origins of Philosophy is highly worthwhile to read for philosophers, political theorists, and anyone interested in questions of universal history." - Grant Andersen (Philosophy in Review)