In Depth: The Cyrenaics

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy uses this report to examine The Cyrenaics. The Cyrenaics are one of the so-called Socratic schools, namely schools which, according to the doxographical tradition, were founded by prominent figures of the Socratic circle, were active during the Hellenistic period each under the leadership of a succession of.

Barring Plato, the Cyrenaics stand out among the other Socratics in another respect as well, namely their reception by both ancient authors and modern interpreters. There is higher level of engagement with their views than is known to be with the views of Antisthenes, Aeschines, Eucleides, Phaedo, and their respective schools, or the philosophical aspects of Xenophon’s writings.

In addition to the interactions between the different Cyrenaic sects and between the latter and the Epicureans, Aristippus of Cyrene and the Cyrenaics receive critical attention by authors of the Platonic and Aristotelian tradition, several doxographers, and some of the. In the modern era, notable cases of reception consist in attempts to revisit controversial aspects of Cyrenaic philosophy in light of contemporary philosophical concerns.

Only the present is ours, while what has already happened or what is still anticipated are not ours; for one has perished, and it is uncertain whether the other will occur.

The report closes by linking the event to broader consequences.