In a new interpretation of Parmenides' philosophical poem On Nature, Vishwa Adluri considers Parmenides as a thinker of mortal singularity, a thinker who is concerned with the fate of irreducibly unique individuals. Adluri argues that the tripartite division of Parmenides' poem allows the thinker to brilliantly hold together the paradox of speaking about being in time and articulates a tragic knowing: mortals may aspire to the transcendence of metaphysics, but are inescapably returned to their mortal condition. Hence, Parmenides' poem articulates a "tragic return", i.e., a turn away from metaphysics to the community of mortals. In this interpretation, Parmenides' philosophy resonates with post-metaphysical and contemporary thought. The themes of human finitude, mortality, love, and singularity echo in thinkers such as Arendt, and Schürmann as well. Plato, Parmenides and Mortal Philosophy also includes a complete new translation of 'On Nature' and a substantial overview and bibliography of contemporary scholarship on Parmenides.

Vishwa Adluri is Adjunct Assistant Professor in Religion and Philosophy at Hunter College, City University of New York, USA, where he specializes in Ancient Philosophy, 20th Century Continental Philosophy, and Indian Philosophy.

Foreword \ Introduction: Parmenides and Renewing the Beginning \ Part I: Beginnings - Arkhai \ 1. Radical Individuality: Time, Mortal Soul and Journey \2. Parmenides and his Importance as a Beginner \ Part II: Parmenides \ 3. The Mortal Journey: Thumos (The Mortal Soul) and Its Limits \ 4. In the Realm of the Goddess: Logos and its Limits \ 5. At Home in the Kosmos: The Return \ Part III: Plato the Pre-Socratic \ 6. Reading Plato's Phaedrus: Socrates the Mortal \ Part IV: Forewording \ 7. Conclusion - Returning to Parmenides \ Part V: Translation of Parmenides' Peri Phuseos with Textual Notes \ Bibliography \ Index.