Philosophy Audiobooks

Mechanics (Greek: ΜΗΧΑΝΙΚΑ, Latin: Mechanica) is attributed to Aristotle but may have been written by Archytas (ΑΡΧΥΤΑΣ). The 35 books discuss topics including the relationship between circles, levers and pulleys. Translated by Edward Forster. Painting: Faustine Léo (1832–1865) by Henri Lehmann, 1842. Scanned by The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Recording and cover design by Geoffrey Edward are in the public domain.

II 1:21:55, III 2:31:21, IV 3:56:07 V 4:57:24, VI 6:02:39, VII 7:45:14  Laws (Greek: ΝΟΜΟΙ, Latin: De Legibus) is the final dialogue written by Plato. Translated by Benjamin Jowett. Painting: Lot and his Daughters by Orazio Gentileschi. LibriVox recording and cover design by Geoffrey Edwards are in the public domain.

On Sleeping and Waking (Greek: ΠΕΡΙ ΥΠΝΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΕΓΡΗΓΟΡΣΕΩΣ; Latin: DE SOMNO ET VIGILIA) is also known as On Sleep and Sleeplessness. In this book Aristotle discusses the relationship between sleep and the body, soul and sensation. Translated by William Alexander Hammond. Painting: Le Sommeil by Gustave Courbet, 1866. LibriVox recording and cover design by Geoffrey Edwards are in the public domain.

II: 1:24:00 III 3:02:03 On the Laws (Latin: De Legibus) by Cicero. Translated by Charles Duke Yonge. It is unknown how many books De Legibus originally contained but several complete books have been lost. Cicero's emphasis in the surviving work is on the nature and purpose of law as opposed to providing answers to specific legal questions. Photograph: Draped Model by Jean-Louis-Marie-Eugène Durieu possibly with Eugène Delacroix. LibriVox recording and cover design by Geoffrey Edwards are in the public domain.

Book II: 49:34 On Plants (Greek: ΠΕΡΙ ΦΥΤΩΝ; Latin: De Plantis) may have been written by Nicolaus of Damascus (ΝΙΚΟΛΑΟΣ ΔΑΜΑΣΚΗΝΟΣ) instead of Aristotle. Sexual reproduction, parasitism, earthquakes and buoyancy are discussed and a correlation is drawn between the shape of thorns and the shape of fire. Translated by Edward Forster. Painting: La Source by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, 1856. Recording and cover design by Geoffrey Edwards are in the public domain.

This fifth of the six Enneads (ΕΝΝΕΑΔΕΣ) written by Plotinus (ΠΛΩΤΙΝΟΣ); arranged by Porphyry (ΠΟΡΦΥΡΙΟΣ) and translated by Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie contains the following nine books: 1. The Three Principal Hypostases, or Forms of Existence (0:00:00) 2. Of Generation, and of the Order of things that Rank Next After the First (0:51:53) 3. The Self-Consciousnesses, and What is Above Them (1:00:08) 4. How What is After the First Proceeds Therefrom; of the One (2:22:52) 5. That Intelligible Entities Are Not External to the Intelligence of the Good (2:34:54) 6. The Superessential Principle Does Not Think (3:34:46) 7. Do Ideas of Individuals Exist (3:54:35) 8. Concerning Intelligible Beauty (4:05:30) 9. Of Intelligence, Ideas and Essence (5:08:23) Painting: The Angel of Death by Émile Jean-Horace Vernet. Recording and cover design by Geoffrey Edwards are in the public domain.   

II 1:05:10 III 2:05:07 IV 2:58:12 V 4:41:28 VI 5:31:34 VII 6:48:33 VIII 7:33:08 Physics (Greek: ΦΥΣΙΚΗ ΑΚΡΟΑΣΙΣ; Latin: PHYSICA) by Aristotle. Translated by Thomas Taylor. Read for LibriVox by Geoffrey Edwards. Meta-Coordinator/Cataloging: Carolin Kaiser. Dedicated Proof-Listener: Kajo. Painting: Portrait of Louise de Keroualle, Duchess of Portsmouth by Peter Lely, c.1674. Recording and cover design by Geoffrey Edwards are in the public domain.

Physiognomonics (Greek: ΦΥΣΙΟΓΝΩΜΟΝΙΚΑ, Latin: Physiognomonica) was probably not written by Aristotle. The text discusses physiognomy. Translated by T. Loveday and E.S. Forster. Read for LibriVox in English by Geoffrey Edwards. Painting: The Annunciation, with Saint Emidius by Carlo Crivelli, 1486. This recording and cover design are in the public domain. 

Book II - 2:05:36 Book III - 4:53:25 On the Nature of the Gods (Latin: De Natura Deorum) outlines Stoic, Epicurean and Academic (Skeptical) views on religious questions. Problems discussed include: evil, the origin of the world, divination and characteristics of God. Translated by Charles Duke Yonge. Painting: Daniel and Cyrus Before the Idol Bel by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn.

The Situations and Names of Winds (Greek: ΠΕΡΙ ΘΕΣΕΩΣ ΑΝΕΜΩΝ, Latin: VENTORUM SITUS) may not have been written by Aristotle. The translator Edward Forster believes the peripatetic philosopher Theophrastus (ΘΕΟΦΡΑΣΤΟΣ) may have been the actual author. The four cardinal and eight intermediate winds are named. Gaps in the recording signify portions of the text which have been lost. Painting: Les épreuves by Gustave Moreau.