William Watson Goodwin (1831–1912)

I've grown to like Plutarch a lot. He was not only quite prolific, his writing is engaging and, quite often, thought provoking.
This volume of his Moralia wasn't quite as interesting as volume 4. There are a couple of standout treatises though that are to be recommended: "Wherefore The Pythian Priestess Now Ceases To Deliver Her Oracles In Verse", and "Of Those Sentiments Concerning Nature With Which Philosophers Were Delighted". The latter of which I had read somewhere that there is some doubt that Plutarch was the author; be that as it may, it was certainly worth reading.
Plutarch's Symposiacs is worth reading as well, but to many current readers it's anecdotes relating to natural philosophy will often be seen as either naive at best, or silly at worst. One should bear in mind though that science started it's life as natural philosophy and philosophers at this early stage were doing the best they could with what was at their disposal. The Symposiacs can still be appreciated for other merits as well though. It basically relates topics of conversation had during dinner gatherings and really affords a window into the life of Plutarch and a glimpse of the kind of conversations that were going on at this period of time.
I don't think I am going to read another whole book of Plutarch's for a while, but I may read certain treatises within his Moralia that relate to Platonism. I do intend to read much more of him in the future though.… (mehr)