All chapters

The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers · Chapter

Simias explained

This chapter introduces Simias of Thebes, a philosopher credited with twenty-three dialogues covering a wide range of topics including wisdom, music, philosophy, government, and the soul.

What happens

This chapter introduces Simias of Thebes, a philosopher credited with twenty-three dialogues covering a wide range of topics including wisdom, music, philosophy, government, and the soul.

Themes in this chapter

  • Natural Philosophy and Cosmology

    Simias's dialogues on topics like music, truth, and the soul reflect an engagement with natural philosophy and the nature of reality.

  • Ethics and Self-Control

    Works such as 'On Fortitude', 'On what is Becoming', and 'On Living Well' indicate a focus on ethical conduct and self-discipline.

Characters to notice

  • Simias of Thebes

    Simias is a Theban philosopher, author of twenty-three dialogues on diverse subjects such as wisdom, music, philosophy, and the soul.

Key passages

  • Simias was a Theban; and there are twenty-three dialogues of his extant, contained in one single volume: On Wisdom; on Ratiocination; on Music; on Verses; on Fortitude; on Philosophy; on Truth; on Letters; on Teaching; on Art; on Government; on what is Becoming; on what is Eligible, and what Proper to be Avoided; on A Friend; on Knowledge; on the Soul; on Living Well; on what is Possible; on Money; on Life; on what the Honorable is; on Industry; and on Love.

    Simias of Thebes authored twenty-three dialogues collected in one volume, covering subjects from wisdom and music to government, ethics, and love.

    This passage lists the extensive range of Simias's philosophical writings.