Cicero sets out the three major Greek philosophies: Epicureanism, Stoicism and Aristotelianism (or Peripateticism), by recounting his conversations with Lucius Torquatus, Marcus Cato and Piso.

He then provides his commentary and criticisms of each.

The volume was written in the summer of the year 45 BC a few years before Cicero's assassination at the hands of Mark Antony's men.

It is made up of five books:

Book 1 - Exposition of Epicureanism

Book 2 - Cicero's Arguments Against Epicureanism

Book 3 - Cicero's Exposition of Stoicism

Book 4 - Arguments Against Stoicism

Book 5 - The New Academy and Cicero's View

Narrated by Robin Homer of Vox Stoica.

Translation by H. Harris Rackham.