David Benatar's Better Never To Have Been challenges a deep source of status quo bias. Benatar argues that coming into being is always a harm. Consequently the ideal population size is zero. "Best not to have been born", observed Sophocles, and Benatar concurs. Better Never To Have Been advocates the merciful extinction of all sentient life.
This classic work not only records developments in the form and style of Greek drama, it also analyses the reasons for these changes. It provides illuminating answers to questions that have confronted generations of students, such as: * why did Aeschylus introduce the second actor? * why did Sophocles develop character drawing? * why are some of Euripides' plots so bad and others so good?
Added by: englishcology | Karma: 4552.53 | Fiction literature | 8 April 2009
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Based on the conviction that only translators who write poetry themselves can properly recreate the celebrated and timeless tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, the Greek Tragedy in New Translations series offers new translations that go beyond the literal meaning of the Greek in order to evoke the poetry of the originals. Under the general editorship of Peter Burian and Alan Shapiro, each volume includes a critical introduction, commentary on the text, full stage directions, and a glossary of the mythical and geographical references in the play.
Contained within this illustrated anthology are thoughts and insights from all the key thinkers of Ancient Greek civilization, from Homer to Herodotus, and Sophocles to Socrates. Spanning the entire range of poetry, prose, philosophy and drama, the themed categories in this little book offer insight into areas as diverse as politics and personal fulfilment.
