BEYOND THE VERDICTS OF PHILOSOPHERS, HISTORIANS, AND SOCIAL SCIENTISTS

 I would suggest that a good place to start, at this very late point, is Clark's Intro, Thomas Paine.

It makes sense, however, to have already read, at least, his Intro to Remarks on the Revolution in France:The Critical Edition.

My personal view is that Randall Collins' The Sociology of Philosophies should be consulted, and read, in para materia where their time periods overlap, but also in general with constant reference to Clark if possible, and, on the other hand,  Clark should be read with constant reference to Collins, if possible. 

Not only are somewhat analogous concepts of historical context and historical drift important, but also connected notions of fame and the failure to achieve it, and charisma,  both front and back stage.

Clark discusses, in Burke, the Roman intellectual background surrounding Burke's milieu and perspective. 

For the larger Greek context for Burke, if any, such as it was, W K C Guthrie might still do, A History of Greek Philosophy. 

Guthrie does outline a "Fifth Century Enlightenment", in a very important section in V. 3, but perhaps he himself understood the anachronistic implications of such terminology as well as anyone at the time he wrote. The problem of Socrates poses some of these issues in stark terms, as do the circumstances of his death.

This post is dedicated to J C D Clark.