Onfray has chosen in this volume and the next (four in total) to talk about the history of the vanquished philosophers, those we do not speak and yet are of interest. The philosopher has decided to expel the myths about the Sophists (became negative term in our language, following the dialogues of Plato). It goes so we tell the exciting story of unsung philosophers of antiquity or considered secondary by historians such as Leucippus, Democritus, Antiphon, Lucretius and others. Bias: to show that Plato sought by false dialogues with reducing arguments to chase that thought in part reaching there, since he was the winner, the one spoken of as a must! Hence the revolt Michel Onfray almost an odyssey of philosophy, discovery of unknown landscapes that we can revel in approaching through the beneficent hand of the author.
Plato is presented in a very negative light: antihédoniste I even learned that this man who sought wisdom, wanted to burn Democritus who defended a hedonistic philosophy, materialism, far from that of Plato. Michel Onfray has a final judgment on Plato. Even if it sometimes seems a bit excessive, I managed argued in its developments to understand what bothered me to this eminent ancient philosopher, that in philosophy courses had been explained to you or hint. Onfray's work allows to exercise critical judgment on Plato and see that he has made war on all those who did not think like him.
The development of Epicurus seemed particularly interesting. But it must still be deluded, Onfray unearths buried philosophers in order still to defend his hedonistic philosophy that is worth trying. I'm not sure there is a perfect neutrality in his remarks.
Original, I was saying. Also read his bibliography, I had never read such a personal, also dusted, so exciting. What a good idea to release the shackles, to be guided in the sum of works on the subject. And finally a good timeline to locate in the works and authors, not forgetting those who are sometimes called "pre-Socratic" were contemporaries of Socrates reality. A tall tale that nevertheless does exist!
In sum, a personal book, hedonistic (reflection on the notions of happiness, pleasure, happiness: it's always good), original and we do not mind if the subject draws us out. I think therefore continue in the future! And I recommend it.
