Hellenistic political impotence shifted philosophical focus from metaphysics to individual ethics

Evidence

‘Metaphysics sink into the background, and ethics, now individual, become of the first importance. Philosophy is no longer the pillar of fire going before a few intrepid seekers after truth: it is rather an ambulance following in the wake of the struggle for existence and picking up the weak and wounded.’ — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 946

Categorization

• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 946
• XREF: connects to: The eclipse of the City State shifted Greek philosophy toward individual salvation — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 950; The revival of Italian city-states renewed political interest in classical antiquity — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 1886; Each major philosophical era mirrors its epoch’s dominant social structure — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 2847 (+3 more)

Library Connections

• The eclipse of the City State shifted Greek philosophy toward individual salvation #corroborates (0.85) — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 950
• The revival of Italian city-states renewed political interest in classical antiquity #complicates (0.45) — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 1886