| + − | J. Philos. 14: 106. F. 14, ’07. 880w. | |
| + | Lond. Times. 6: 74. Mr. 8, ’07. 1660w. |
“It would almost seem that Mr. Davidson has done his work as guide too thoroughly. He overloads his interpretations with meanings, he scents symbolism everywhere, and constructs a philosophy of ‘Faust’ which, though interesting and instructive in itself, can hardly be proved to have been in the poet’s mind. It holds the reader’s interest from beginning to end, and arouses in him a keen desire to take up his ‘Faust’ again, which is, after all, the most important function of a book of this kind.” Frank Thilly.
| + + − | Philos. R. 16: 552. S. ’07. 360w. |
Davidson, William L. Stoic creed. *$1.75. Scribner.
“The book is divided into three main ‘sections,’ followed by an appendix on ‘Pragmatism and humanism.’ The first section deals with ‘Moulding influences and leaders of the school,’ and shows how stoicism is mainly derived, on its ethical side, from the impulse of Socrates and the sophists. The second section, on ‘Stoic science and speculation,’ contains chapters dealing with the conception of philosophy, the logic and epistemology, the physics and cosmology, of the school, concluding with a chapter on the atomic theory of Epicurus in its relation to stoicism. The third section has for its title ‘Morality and religion,’ and occupies about half the book. It contains, in addition to a detailed exposition of the ethical system and its relation to cynicism, some useful pages of criticism, in which the defects of the system are indicated; and an interesting chapter entitled ‘Present-day value of stoicism,’ in which the dicta of eminent moderns, such as M. Arnold and Renan, concerning the stoic moralists are examined and appreciated.”—Ath.
“On the present-day value of stoicism and on its aspects as the precursor of much modern theory, Professor Davidson writes admirably in his excellent volume. It is no dry-as-dust treatise compact of dates and uncompromising facts. It is a sympathetic study of the history and development of the stoic philosophy which no student can afford to neglect.”
| + + | Acad. 73: 918. S. 21, ’07. 770w. |
“The book shows a competent knowledge of the subject and a gift of clear exposition. Occasionally, however, the writing is rather loose.”
| + + − | Ath. 1907, 2: 37. Jl. 13. 400w. |