Greek Rational Medicine: Philosophy and Medicine from Alcmaeon to the Alexandrians [Paperback]

The ancient Greek medical thinkers were profoundly influenced by Ionian natural philosophy. This philosophy caused them to adopt a radically new attitude towards disease and healing. James Longrigg shows how their rational attitudes ultimately resulted in levels of sophistication largely unsurpassed until the Renaissance. He examines the important relationship between philosophy and medicine in ancient Greece and beyond, and reveals its significance for contemporary western practice and theory.Greek Rational Medicine examines the important relationship between philosophy and medicine in ancient Greece and beyond and reveals its significance for contemporary western practice and theory.

`It is a well argued book, and will be invaluable to students both of philosophy and of the history of science.' - Greece & Rome

An impressive treatment of the very complex relationship between Greek philosophy and medicine over a formidable time range. - Electronic Antiquity

Introduction Chapter I. Pre-rational and Irrational Medicine in Greece and Neigbouring Cultures Chapter II. The Origin and Development of Rational Medicine in Classical Greece Chapter III. Philosophy and Medicine in the Fifth Century I: Almaeon and the Presocratic Philosophers Chapter IV. Philosophy and Medicine in the Fifth Century II: Presocratic Philosophy and the Hippocratic Corpus Chapter V. Post-Hippocratic Medicine I: Medicine and the Academy Chapter VI. Post Hippocratic Medicine II: Medicine from Lyceum to Museum Chapter VI. Early Alexandrian Medical Science AppendixUS