In the Dark Places of Wisdom by Peter Kingsley

 

1999 publication

In this relatively short, easy-to-read book, Peter Kingsley sets forth findings from archeology and classical tests that paint a very different portrait of one of the founders of Western metaphysical thinking, Parmenides. Kingsley's tale of discoveries and insights supports his contention that Parmenides and those around him were profoundly concerned with healing and a deeper form of knowledge than simply rational thought. "Dying before you die" is the title of one of the chapters, and it's a familiar refrain to me, having recently read Brian Muraresku's The Immortality Code, in which "dying before you die" was the dominant motif throughout his account of his search through ancient sources. (In fact, I'd taken a stab at Kingsley's book many years ago, but it didn't stick, but Muraresku's praise for Kingsley's work brought me back to it.) 

I'm not a classicist and I'm not in any way qualified to shift through the evidence that might counter Kingsley's contention that Parmenides was first and foremost a healer. I get the impression that such a contention is outside the mainstream of thinking in the classics, at least when Kingsley first promoted this thesis. But having read a bit in this area, including Pierre Hadot's Philosophy as a Way of Life and The Present Alone is Our Happiness, Thomas McEvilley's The Shape of Ancient Thought, and Muraresku's recent book, I'm not surprised that the roots of classical philosophy are found in mysticism, that is religious, spiritual, and healing practices that arise from deep within the cultural tradition. In short, I suspect that Kingsley is on the right track. 

I noted in perusing some other reviews, I find that some reviewers noted the very simple style in which this book is written. This is true, it is an easy read, especially given the subject matter. But while Kingsley writes simply, he thinks deeply. I found myself racing through the book while noting many gems of insight and argument as I went, so don't let the simplicity of the prose deceive you. Also, he doesn't use footnotes, but he has a section of references at the end of the book for each chapter for those who want to take a deeper look. It's especially useful if you read French, German, and Italian in addition to English and have access to an academic library! 

Kingsley has made a fascinating argument here, and I'm looking forward to reading his Reality, which appears to be a sequel of sorts (originally published in 2004 with a revised and updated version published in 2020). I also look forward to reading the "prequel," Ancient Philosophy, Mystery and Magic: Empedocles and Pythagorean Tradition  (1995), which may not prove such an easy read given that it's published by OUP.  

Kingsley is onto something here, and I look forward to continuing the journey with him.