An Archaeology of Disbelief traces the origin of secular philosophy to pre-Socratic Greek philosophers who proposed a physical universe without supernatural intervention. Some mentioned the Homeric gods, but others did not. Atomists and Sophists identified themselves as agnostics if not outright atheists, and in reaction Plato featured transcendent spiritual authority. However, Aristotle offered a physical cosmology justified by evidence from a variety of scientific fields. He also revisited many pre-Socratic assumptions by proposing that existence consists of mass in motion without temporal or spatial boundaries. In many ways his analysis anticipated Newton’s concept of gravity, Darwin’s concept of evolution, and Einstein’s concept of relativity. Aristotle’s follower Strato invented scientific experimentation. He also inspired the pursuit of science and advocated the rejection of all beliefs unconfirmed by science. Carneades in turn distorted Aristotelian logic to ridicule the god concept, and Lucretius proposed a grand secular cosmology in his epic De Rerum Natura. In the two dialogues, Academica and De Natura Deorum, Cicero provided a useful retrospective assessment of this entire movement. The Roman Empire and advent of Christianity effectively terminated Greek philosophy except for Platonism reinvented as stoicism. Widespread destruction of libraries eliminated most early secular texts, and the Inquisition played a major role in preventing secular inquiry. Aquinas later justified Aristotle in light of Christian doctrine, and secularism’s revival was postponed until the seventeenth century’s paradoxical reaction against his interpretation of Aristotle. Today it nevertheless remains possible to trace western civilization’s remarkable secular achievement to its initial breakthrough in ancient Greece. The purpose of this book is accordingly to trace the origin and development of its secular thought through close examination of texts that still exist today in light of Aristotle’s writings.
An Archaeology of Disbelief traces the classical origin of secular philosophy in ancient Greece based on a close examination of its few relevant texts still available today. More than a dozen pre-Socratic philosophers are examined as well Aristotle and such later figures as Strato, Carneades, Lucretius, and Cicero.
In the Pecos Country" is an absorbing Western adventure novel written by Edward Sylvester Ellis. Set in the untamed and rugged landscapes of the American Southwest, this story follows the remarkable journey of protagonist Jack Carleton. Jack, one young and intrepid explorer, finds himself entangled in a series of thrilling escapades as he ventures into the heart of the Pecos Country. The region is called for its lawlessness, notorious outlaws, and also the constant struggle between settlers and Native American tribes. Amidst and other thing this perilous backdrop, Jack forms an unlikely friendship with an experienced frontiersman and one of the Native American guide. Together, they embark on an expedition to uncover hidden treasures and confront the challenges posed by hostile forces. Throughout the narrative, Ellis skillfully portrays the harsh realities of life on the frontier, from the dangers of facing marauding bandits to navigating through treacherous terrain. Jack's courage and determination are put to the test as he battles both external adversaries and his internal doubts. As this story unfolds, the bonds of friendship between Jack and his companions deepen, and they learn to rely on each other's unique skills and strengths. Through their trials and triumphs, the characters evolve, gaining a deeper understanding of trust, loyalty, and the importance of respecting the land and its inhabitants.
Lieutenant R. H. Jayne...[pseudonym of Edward Sylvester Ellis]In the valley of the Rio Pecos, years ago, an attempt at founding a settlement was made by a number of hardy and daring New Englanders, whose leader was a sort of Don Quixote, who traveled hundreds of miles, passing by the richest land, the most balmy climate, where all were protected by the strong arm of law, for the sake of locating where the soil was only moderate, the climate no better, and where, it may be said, the great American government was as powerless to protect its citizens as was a child itself. The Rio Pecos, running through New Mexico and Texas, drains a territory which at that time was one of the most dangerous in the whole Indian country; and why these score or more of families should have hit upon this spot of all others, was a problem which could never be clearly solved.We are delighted to publish this classic book as part of our extensive Classic Library collection. Many of the books in our collection have been out of print for decades, and therefore have not been accessible to the general public. The aim of our publishing program is to facilitate rapid access to this vast reservoir of literature, and our view is that this is a significant literary work, which deserves to be brought back into print after many decades. The contents of the vast majority of titles in the Classic Library have been scanned from the original works. To ensure a high quality product, each title has been meticulously hand curated by our staff. Our philosophy has been guided by a desire to provide the reader with a book that is as close as possible to ownership of the original work. We hope that you will enjoy this wonderful classic work, and that for you it becomes an enriching experience....Edward Sylvester Ellis (April 11, 1840 - June 20, 1916) was an American author who was born in Ohio and died at Cliff Island, Maine.Ellis was a teacher, school administrator, journalist, and the author of hundreds of books and magazine articles that he produced by his name and by a number of noms de plume. Notable fiction stories by Ellis include The Steam Man of the Prairies and Seth Jones, or the Captives of the Frontier.Internationally, Edward S. Ellis is probably known best for his Deerfoot novels read widely by young boys until the 1950s.Dime novelsSeth Jones was the most significant of early dime novels of publishers Beadle and Adams. It is said that Seth Jones was one of Abraham Lincoln's favorite stories. During the mid-1880s, after a fiction-writing career of some thirty years, Ellis eventually began composing more serious works of biography, history, and persuasive writing. Of note was "The Life of Colonel David Crockett," which had the story of Davy Crockett giving a speech usually called "Not Yours To Give." It was a speech in opposition to awarding money to a Navy widow on the grounds that Congress had no Constitutional mandate to give charity. It was said to have been inspired by Crockett's meeting with a Horatio Bunce, a much quoted man in Libertarian circles, but one for whom historical evidence is non-existent.PseudonymsBesides the one hundred fifty-nine books published by his own name, Ellis' work was published under various pseudonyms, including: "James Fenimore Cooper Adams" or "Captain Bruin Adams" (68 titles)"Boynton M. Belknap" (9 titles)"J. G. Bethune" (1 title)"Captain Latham C. Carleton" (2 titles)"Frank Faulkner" (1 title)"Capt. R. M. Hawthorne" (4 titles)"Lieut. Ned Hunter" (5 titles)"Lieut. R. H. Jayne" (at least 2 titles in the War Whoop series)"Charles E. Lasalle" (16 titles)"H. R. Millbank" (3 titles)"Billex Muller" (3 titles)"Lieut. J. H. Randolph" (8 titles)"Emerson Rodman" (10 titles)"E. A. St. Mox" (2 titles)"Seelin Robins" (19 titles)
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