Part 1: Philosophy as Transformative: Ancient China, Greece, India, and Rome

Introduction G. Anthony Bruno and Justin Vlasits

1. Socratic Dialogue and the Transformation of Character Frisbee C.C. Sheffield

2. Aristotle on Personal and Epistemic Transformation Marta Jimenez and Andrew Culbreth

3. Philosophy and Life: Nagel and Zhuangzi on Absurdity and Equanimity Karyn Lai

4. On Transformative Insight as the Quieting of Views in Indian Buddhist Philosophy: Nāgārjuna as Master of Irony Antoine Panaïoti

5. The Dangers of Sects: Lucian, Galen, and Sextus Empiricus Justin Vlasits

6. Transformation as Self-Cultivation in Plotinian Neoplatonism Michael Griffin

Part 2: Transformation Between the Human and the Divine: Medieval and Early Modern Philosophy

Introduction G. Anthony Bruno and Justin Vlasits

7. Human Transformation at the Limits of Animality and Divinity in Avicenna’s Epistle on Love Bligh Somma

8. Transformation via Mystical Experience in the 13th Century: Hadewijch, Marguerite d’Oingt, and Mechthild of Hackeborn Christina van Dyke

9. Via Transformativa: Reading Descartes’ Meditations as a Mystical Text Amber L. Griffioen and Kristopher G. Phillips

10. Spinozan (Trans)Formations Julie Klein

11. Transformation and Essence (K’oje’ik) in the K’iche’ Maya Popol Vuhi Alexus McLeod

Part 3: Transformation After the Copernican Revolution: Post-Kantian Philosophy

Introduction G. Anthony Bruno and Justin Vlasits

12. Is Radicalization becoming a Fanatic? A Historical Inquiry Joshua di Paolo

13. Post-Kantian Idealism and Self-Transformation G. Anthony Bruno

14. Marx on Ideology and Historical Transformation Jaime Edwards

15. Responsibility and Transformation in Either/Or and Being and Time Sacha Golob

16. World History in a Dictionary: Franz Rosenzweig on Teshuva, Metanoia, and Umkehr Benjamin Pollock

17. Merleau-Ponty, the Improvisatory Body, and Humans as Revolutionary Animals Kym Maclaren

Part 4: Treatises, Pregnancies, Psychedelics, and Epiphanies: Twentieth-Century Philosophy

Introduction G. Anthony Bruno and Justin Vlasits

18. Wittgenstein’s Transitions: ‘A Philosophical Problem Has the Form: I Don’t Know My Way About’ Hans Sluga

19. Dewey on the Ever-Transformative Character of Experience Irina Schumski

20. Transformative Experience in Psychedelic Therapy Adam Bradley

21. Epiphanies: A Brief and Partial History, with Particular Reference to James Joyce Sophie-Grace Chappell

22. Pregnancy: Transformations in Philosophy and Legal Practice Suki Finn, Jill Marshall, Anna Pathe-Smith, and Victoria Adkins.

Index

From ancient conceptions of becoming a philosopher to modern discussions of psychedelic drugs, the concept of transformation plays a fascinating part in the history of philosophy. However, until now there has been no sustained exploration of the full extent of its role.

Transformation and the History of Philosophy is an outstanding survey of the history, nature, and development of the idea of transformation, from the ancient period to the twentieth century. Comprising twenty-two specially commissioned chapters by an international team of contributors, the volume is divided into four clear parts:

Philosophy as Transformative: Ancient China, Greece, India, and Rome
Transformation Between the Human and the Divine: Medieval and Early Modern Philosophy
Transformation After the Copernican Revolution: Post-Kantian Philosophy
Treatises, Pregnancies, Psychedelics, and Epiphanies: Twentieth-Century Philosophy

Each of these sections begins with an introduction by the editors. Transformation and the History of Philosophy is essential reading for students and researchers in the history of western and non-western philosophy, ethics, metaphysics, and aesthetics. It will also be extremely useful for those in related disciplines such as religion, sociology, and the history of ideas.