Ebook
What role does food play in the shaping of humanity? Is sharing a good meal with friends and family an experience of life at its best, or is food merely a burdensome necessity? David Roochnik explores these questions by discussing classical works of Greek literature and philosophy in which food and drink play an important role.
With thoughts on Homer’s The Odyssey, Euripides’ Bacchae, Plato’s philosopher kings and Dionysian intoxication, Roochnik shows how foregrounding food in philosophy can open up new ways of understanding these thinkers and their approaches to the purpose and meaning of life. The book features philosophical explanation interspersed with reflections from the author on cooking, eating, drinking and sharing meals, making it important reading for students of philosophy, classical studies, and food studies.
David Roochnik transports the reader back to Homer’s Odyssey, Euripides’ Bacchae and the works of Plato and Aristotle by focusing on the foods and drinks they consumed.
Foregrounds food within classical philosophy, useful as a starting point to food studies for philosophers, and philosophy for food studies students
Accessibly written with engaging personal interludes to root philosophy into the everyday
Author is eminent, established and respected
Prelude
Ch. 1: Eatingest; Homer’s Odyssey
Interlude 1
Ch. 2: Dionysus; Euripides’ Bacchae
Interlude 2
Ch. 3: Socrates
Interlude 3
Ch. 4: Aristotle
Postlude
Eat, Drink, Think provides a clear vision of how food and wine impact our ways of thinking and socializing, making audiences hungry for knowledge, philosophy, and discussion. Through his book, Roochnik not only builds timely connections between food and social interactions, but also highlights the innermost thoughts of academics - thus making Eat, Drink, Think a portal into scholarly culture and into our own minds.
Roochnik’s disarming honesty and clear passion for teaching somehow make this book work.
David Roochnik is Professor of Philosophy and Maria Stata Professor of Classical Greek Studies at Boston University, USA.