DOCSLIB.ORG

From One to One, to Many: the Parmenides 142B-144B

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
From One to One, to Many: the Parmenides 142B-144B From One to one, to many: the Parmenides 142b-144b Florin George Călian Department of Philosophy Central European University A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Supervisor: Professor Gábor Betegh CEU eTD Collection Budapest, Hungary 2016 Declaration This dissertation is the result of my own work and includes nothing, which is the outcome of work done in collaboration except where specifically indicated in the text. It has not been previously submitted, in part or whole, to any university of institution for any degree, diploma, or other qualification. Signed: ____________________________________________________________ Date: ______________________________________________________________ CEU eTD Collection Abstract This dissertation is a contribution to the reassessment of Platonic ontology and mathematical conceptions as found in the beginning of the second hypothesis of the second part of the Parmenides (142b-144b), in what I argue to be Plato’s ontological argument and the argument for the generation of numbers. I support the reading of these two specific arguments as a coherent continuum: how the being of one was conceived by Plato as necessarily different from one, differentiating thus himself from Eleatic philosophy and setting the grounds for multiplicity, which leads Plato into a discussion on the primordia of numbers. There are numbers (the mathematical argument) only because one and being can be separated (the ontological argument). My analysis of the argument for the generation of numbers is substantiated by an evaluation of Aristotle’s testimony in Metaphysics A6, a testimony which, I argue, is built upon this passage of the Parmenides. The dissertation provides an analytical commentary on the stages of the arguments, in an attempt to place the arguments on the map of Plato’s philosophy. I demonstrate that the ontological and mathematical arguments are actual Platonic arguments, and not merely dialectic exercises, which have traceable conclusions in Plato’s philosophy of the so-called late dialogues, CEU eTD Collection especially the Theaetetus, the Sophist, and the Timaeus. Acknowledgements First and foremost I would like to express indebted thanks to my supervisor Professor Gábor Betegh, for his very valuable pieces of advice and critical comments. Professor Betegh has constantly helped me to pass from intuitions to clarifying arguments and it has been a privilege to work under his supervision. I owe the highest debt of gratitude for his thoroughness, irreplaceable expertize and patience to make sense of my Balkan writing. His vivid and enamoured interest in, and study of, everything related to ancient philosophy has been a profound and determinative influence. I want to extent my thanks to the whole of the Department of Philosophy at Central European University which was not only a very good working place from a practical point of view; it is an institution which has shaped my philosophical thinking and moulded my approach to academic research. I mention with gratitude Prof. István Bondár, for the discussions related mostly to subjects in Ancient Philosophy, but also to other topics. Another important encounter was that of Prof. Hanoch Ben-Yami: the debates that I witnessed and have been part of on the miscellanea of philosophy at the Department were very instructive. Writing this dissertation was made possible also with the support I have received from people I have encountered outside the Department. I want to thank to Prof. Brad Inwood who facilitated my access to Robarts library in 2012. The three months period that I spend at Fribourg, through the Doctoral Research Grant from Central European University, helped me a lot in developing important chapters of the dissertation. I want to give special thanks to Prof. Filip Karfik for all his support and philosophical discussion on my research, as well as on other philosophical issues, and also to Prof. Dominic O’Meara for all his kind advices. I have also hugely profited from the time spent in 2013 at Plato Centre, Trinity College, Dublin, where the discussions with Prof. John Dillon, Prof. Vasilis Politis, Dr. Brendon O’Brien, and Dr. Manfred Weltecke have proven inspirational for my research. New Europe College has also generously encouraged this research through the grant it has given me in 2013/2014, especially through the travel grant offered to meet Prof. Leslie Brown and Prof. Michael Inwood at University of Oxford. Their knowledgeable comments have substantially contributed to the delimitation of my understanding of Plato’s Parmenides. And last, but not least, I would like to thank to CEU eTD Collection Professor Edward Kanterian who has been very supportive, in key moments, to settle my academic hesitations. Special thanks must go to my two elective affinities, to my wife Antoaneta, who sensibly put up with my writing blocks and other caprices all these years, and to our daughter, Sophie. This thesis is dedicated to Ciprian Aristotel (1977-2000) CEU eTD Collection CEU eTD Collection Contents No table of contents entries found. CEU eTD Collection List of Figures FIGURE 1 THE STRUCTURE OF THE ARGUMENTS (142B1-144A1) .............................................8 FIGURE 2 THE DIVISION OF ONE AND BEING ..........................................................................17 FIGURE 3 VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF FORMULA 2K+1 .......................................................97 FIGURE 4 TRIANGULAR NUMBERS ........................................................................................100 CEU eTD Collection “If someone were to reduce Plato to a system, he would render a great service to mankind…” Leibniz (Philosophical Papers and Letters, 1989, 659) “There is an argument, suggested by a passage in Plato's Parmenides, to the effect that, if there is such a number as 1, then 1 has being; but 1 is not identical with being, and therefore 1 and being are two, and therefore there is such a number as 2, and 2 together with 1 and being gives a class of three terms, and so on. This argument is fallacious, partly because “being” is not a term having any definite meaning, and still more because, if a definite meaning were invented for it, it would be found that numbers do not have being—they are, in fact, what are called logical fictions’.” Russell (Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy, 1993, 138) “Anybody who sets out to report Plato's opinions can properly be asked to tell us on what principles he interprets the evidence at his disposal” Crombie (An Examination of Plato's Doctrines, 1962, 14) CEU eTD Collection 1 CEU eTD Collection 2 1. The Parmenides Question The Parmenides is a key Platonic dialogue, which raises controversial and contradictory interpretations. The first part of the dialogue contains both the most coherent and detailed depiction of one central version of the theory of forms as it is to be found in the middle dialogues and, at the same time, the most upsetting counter-arguments to the theory. 1 Each counter-argument leaves us with the impression of undermining the edifice of the theory of forms as it is displayed in the Phaedo and the Republic. The first part of the Parmenides does not reach any theoretical philosophical conclusion regarding the ontological status of the forms, except that they are necessary for thought and speech. The second part of the dialogue is introduced by Plato as a necessary dialectical exercise for a better training in philosophy. How to understand these complicated structures and Plato’s critique of his own theory of forms is not certain at all. One might think that referring to previous scholarship would offer some guidance in reading the Parmenides; however, even from within the Academy, through the Neo-Platonists, and up to contemporary commentators, there is no scholarly agreement on a generally accepted modus of interpretation: the Parmenides remains a puzzling dialogue 2 and there is no real consensus in respect to its CEU eTD Collection 1 I am aware that it is only a textual artifice to constantly mention a theory of forms; Plato’s dialogues propose no definitive theory of forms that remains unchanged in the entire corpus. In several dialogues versions of the theory of forms are presented, and in different parts of Plato’s work different facets of the theory are displayed with subsequent emendations, testifying thus to a continuous re-thinking process on the theory of forms. The discussions in the Parmenides of aspects pertaining to the theory of forms are representative for the development of the theory in what has been identified as the middle period. 2 Mary Louise Gill, and Paul Ryan, Plato Parmenides (Hackett Publishing, 1996), 1. 3 purpose3, topic, and techniques4. Similar to ancient readings of the dialogue, with the complex exception of the Neo-Platonists5 - as even in their case the overall interpretation was not fully unanimous – contemporary studies demonstrate that the dialogue’s structure and arguments are far from clear. The second part of the dialogue has been even more puzzling and contentious for scholars. Although it formally makes up a whole with the first part of the dialogue, the articulation of these two components is highly problematic; moreover, at first glance the second part seems difficult to link not only with the first part, but with ideas expressed in Plato’s other dialogues as well. This part of the dialogue remains a piece of curiosity (both in the Platonic corpus and in the history of philosophy), and it has often been left aside as not providing any reliable philosophical implications that might prove relevant for reconstructing Plato’s philosophy6. 3 G. Vlastos thinks that the dialogue is an example of ‘honest perplexities’; see “The Third Man Argument in the Parmenides.” In Studies in Plato’s Metaphysics, ed. R. E. Allen, (London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1965), 231–63. 4 G. E. L. Owen considers the dialogue as an example of sophistry. See Owen, G. E. L. “Notes on Ryle’s Plato.” In Logic, Science and Dialectic, (London: Duckworth, 1986), 85–103.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • One Hundred Years of Thomism Aeterni Patris and Afterwards a Symposium
    One Hundred Years of Thomism Aeterni Patris and Afterwards A Symposium Edited By Victor B. Brezik, C.S.B, CENTER FOR THOMISTIC STUDIES University of St. Thomas Houston, Texas 77006 ~ NIHIL OBSTAT: ReverendJamesK. Contents Farge, C.S.B. Censor Deputatus INTRODUCTION . 1 IMPRIMATUR: LOOKING AT THE PAST . 5 Most Reverend John L. Morkovsky, S.T.D. A Remembrance Of Pope Leo XIII: The Encyclical Aeterni Patris, Leonard E. Boyle,O.P. 7 Bishop of Galveston-Houston Commentary, James A. Weisheipl, O.P. ..23 January 6, 1981 The Legacy Of Etienne Gilson, Armand A. Maurer,C.S.B . .28 The Legacy Of Jacques Maritain, Christian Philosopher, First Printing: April 1981 Donald A. Gallagher. .45 LOOKING AT THE PRESENT. .61 Copyright©1981 by The Center For Thomistic Studies Reflections On Christian Philosophy, All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or Ralph McInerny . .63 reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written Thomism And Today's Crisis In Moral Values, Michael permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in Bertram Crowe . .74 critical articles and reviews. For information, write to The Transcendental Thomism, A Critical Assessment, Center For Thomistic Studies, 3812 Montrose Boulevard, Robert J. Henle, S.J. 90 Houston, Texas 77006. LOOKING AT THE FUTURE. .117 Library of Congress catalog card number: 80-70377 Can St. Thomas Speak To The Modem World?, Leo Sweeney, S.J. .119 The Future Of Thomistic Metaphysics, ISBN 0-9605456-0-3 Joseph Owens, C.Ss.R. .142 EPILOGUE. .163 The New Center And The Intellectualism Of St. Thomas, Printed in the United States of America Vernon J.
    [Show full text]
  • Augustine and the Art of Ruling in the Carolingian Imperial Period
    Augustine and the Art of Ruling in the Carolingian Imperial Period This volume is an investigation of how Augustine was received in the Carolingian period, and the elements of his thought which had an impact on Carolingian ideas of ‘state’, rulership and ethics. It focuses on Alcuin of York and Hincmar of Rheims, authors and political advisers to Charlemagne and to Charles the Bald, respectively. It examines how they used Augustinian political thought and ethics, as manifested in the De civitate Dei, to give more weight to their advice. A comparative approach sheds light on the differences between Charlemagne’s reign and that of his grandson. It scrutinizes Alcuin’s and Hincmar’s discussions of empire, rulership and the moral conduct of political agents during which both drew on the De civitate Dei, although each came away with a different understanding. By means of a philological–historical approach, the book offers a deeper reading and treats the Latin texts as political discourses defined by content and language. Sophia Moesch is currently an SNSF-funded postdoctoral fellow at the University of Oxford, working on a project entitled ‘Developing Principles of Good Govern- ance: Latin and Greek Political Advice during the Carolingian and Macedonian Reforms’. She completed her PhD in History at King’s College London. Augustine and the Art of Ruling in the Carolingian Imperial Period Political Discourse in Alcuin of York and Hincmar of Rheims Sophia Moesch First published 2020 by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN and by Routledge 52 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, NY 10017 Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business Published with the support of the Swiss National Science Foundation.
    [Show full text]
  • The Golden Cord
    THE GOLDEN CORD A SHORT BOOK ON THE SECULAR AND THE SACRED ' " ' ..I ~·/ I _,., ' '4 ~ 'V . \ . " ': ,., .:._ C HARLE S TALIAFERR O THE GOLDEN CORD THE GOLDEN CORD A SHORT BOOK ON THE SECULAR AND THE SACRED CHARLES TALIAFERRO University of Notre Dame Press Notre Dame, Indiana Copyright © 2012 by the University of Notre Dame Press Notre Dame, Indiana 46556 www.undpress.nd.edu All Rights Reserved Manufactured in the United States of America Library of Congress Cataloging- in- Publication Data Taliaferro, Charles. The golden cord : a short book on the secular and the sacred / Charles Taliaferro. pages cm Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN-13: 978-0-268-04238-7 (pbk. : alk. paper) ISBN-10: 0-268-04238-1 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. God (Christianity) 2. Life—Religious aspects—Christianity. 3. Self—Religious aspects—Christianity. 4. Redemption—Christianity. 5. Cambridge Platonism. I. Title. BT103.T35 2012 230—dc23 2012037000 ∞ The paper in this book meets the guidelines for permanence and durability of the Committee on Production Guidelines for Book Longevity of the Council on Library Resources. CONTENTS Acknowledgments vii Introduction 1 CHAPTER 1 Love in the Physical World 15 CHAPTER 2 Selves and Bodies 41 CHAPTER 3 Some Big Pictures 61 CHAPTER 4 Some Real Appearances 81 CHAPTER 5 Is God Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Know? 107 CHAPTER 6 Redemption and Time 131 CHAPTER 7 Eternity in Time 145 CHAPTER 8 Glory and the Hallowing of Domestic Virtue 163 Notes 179 Index 197 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I am deeply grateful for the patience, graciousness, support, and encour- agement of the University of Notre Dame Press’s senior editor, Charles Van Hof.
    [Show full text]
  • What to Be Realist About in Linguistic Science
    What to be realist about in linguistic science Geoffrey K. Pullum School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences University of Edinburgh This paper was presented at a workshop entitled ‘Foundation of Linguistics: Languages as Abstract Objects’ at the Technische Universitat¨ Carolo-Wilhelmina in Braunschweig, Germany, June 25–28. At the end of his viva, Hilary Putnam asked him, “And tell us, Mr. Boolos, what does the analytical hierarchy have to do with the real world?” Without hesitating Boolos replied, “It’s part of it.” [From the Wikipedia article on the MIT logician George Boolos] Prefatory remarks on realism I need to begin by clarifying what is meant (or at least, what I and others have meant) by ‘realism’. That such clarification is necessary is indicated by the fact that the subtitle of this workshop (‘Lan- guages as Abstract Objects’) clearly pays homage to Katz (1981) (Language and Other Abstract Objects). What the late Jerrold J. Katz meant by the word ‘realism’ does not comport with the usage of most philosophers. Katz shows little interest in defining his terms. He barely even waves a hand in that direc- tion. The third page of Language and Other Abstract Objects book announces that he has had an epiphany: there is “an alternative to both the American structuralists’ and the Chomskian concep- tion of what grammars are theories of, namely, the Platonic realist view that grammars are theories of abstract objects (sentences)” (Katz 1981, 3). Neither ‘Platonic’ nor ‘realist’ are analysed, expli- cated, or even glossed at this point. ‘Platonic realism’ is thereafter abbreviated to ‘Platonism’ and simply assumed to be understood.
    [Show full text]
  • Plato Apology of Socrates and Crito
    COLLEGE SERIES OF GREEK AUTHORS EDITED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF JOHN WILLIAMS WHITE, LEWIS R. PACKARD, a n d THOMAS D. SEYMOUR. PLATO A p o l o g y o f S o c r a t e s AND C r i t o EDITED ON THE BASIS OF CRON’S EDITION BY LOUIS DYER A s s i s t a n t ·Ρι;Οχ'ε&^ο^ ι ν ^University. BOSTON: PUBLISHED BY GINN & COMPANY. 1902. I P ■ C o p · 3 Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1885, by J o h n W il l ia m s W h i t e a n d T h o m a s D. S e y m o u r , In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. J . S. C u s h in g & Co., P r i n t e r s , B o s t o n . PREFACE. T his edition of the Apology of Socrates and the Crito is based upon Dr. Christian Cron’s eighth edition, Leipzig, 1882. The Notes and Introduction here given have in the main been con­ fined within the limits intelligently drawn by Dr. Cron, whose commentaries upon various dialogues of Plato have done and still do so much in Germany to make the study of our author more profitable as well as pleasanter. No scruple has been felt, how­ ever, in making changes. I trust there are few if any of these which Dr. Cron might not himself make if he were preparing his work for an English-thinking and English-speaking public.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Milton's Aevum: the Time Structure of Grace in Paradise Lost Ayelet Langer University of Haifa [email protected]
    Milton’s aevum: The Time Structure of Grace in Paradise Lost Ayelet Langer University of Haifa [email protected] Two thirds of Paradise Lost – and a Fall – separate Milton’s description of the Father’s plan of regeneration for humankind (3.173-97) from the actualization of the first stages of that plan (11.1-8). Clearly, the plan and actualization involve a special relation between God’s grace and human free will. In Book 3 the Father places grace at the beginning of the process of regeneration (3.187), which is then followed by his softening of ‘stony hearts / To pray, repent, and bring obedience due’ (3.189-90).1 This cause-effect relationship is repeated in Book 11. There, ‘grace’, operating from the ‘mercy-seat above’ (11.2), removes ‘the stony’ from the hearts of Adam and Eve (11.3- 4), who then repent and start on their long way to regeneration. Yet nowhere in the poem do we seem to learn how this grace substantively operates in Adam and Eve to achieve regeneration. On the level of doctrine Dennis Danielson is surely correct in explaining that ‘How God removes “the stony from hearts” and makes “new flesh / Regenerate grow instead” must remain a great mystery, and how the operation of such grace is experienced may be ineffable, even at times paradoxical’.2 Yet Milton’s poetry can find effective, even powerfully efficacious, ways of expressing ineffable paradox. I propose that in this case Milton discloses a part of the way grace operates in humankind by deploying an inner, secondary time structure in Paradise Lost.
    [Show full text]
  • The Metaphysics of Being in Aristotle Thales: an Analytical Study
    COMPETITIVE STRATEGY MODEL AND ITS IMPACT ON MICRO BUSINESS UNITOF LOCAL DEVELOPMENT BANKSIN JAWAPJAEE, 17 (7) (2020) The Metaphysics of Being in Aristotle Thales: An Analytical Study Marwan Ali Hussein1 1College of Education, University of Kufa, Iraq Marwan Ali Hussein . The Metaphysics of Being in Aristotle Thales: An Analytical Study - Palarch’s Journal Of Archaeology Of Egypt/Egyptology 17(7), 3713-3721. ISSN 1567-214x Keywords: Metaphysics; Being; Philosophy; Aristotle Thale. ABSTRACT The problem of existence is one of the most important problems that have plagued philosophers since ancient times. Research and studies have continued on this issue, which philosophers have made one of the main topics of philosophy in addition to the theory of knowledge and values to this day. Heidegger, for example, wonders, in the twentieth century, why was there and was not nothing? This question revealed the crisis of existence among philosophers, until a whole philosophy became stained in the twentieth century in the name of existential philosophy. Hence, this research comes to shed light on this problem through the vision of the first teacher, Aristotle, Thales.The Aristotelian vision was distinguished in the search for existence, as we find a mixture of logical research, cognitive research and natural research that was characterized by the nature of biological studies.The Aristotelian vision was also distinctive because it corrected what had been missed from previous philosophers of Aristotle, especially in the research of causes and their diversity, in addition to the fact that the evidence that Aristotle leads to prove the existence of God, which is the evidence of movement, will appear strongly in Islamic philosophy, especially among the owners of the peripheral philosophy.
    [Show full text]
  • On Moral Understanding
    COMMENTTHE COLLEGE NEWSLETTER ISSUE NO 147 | MAY 2003 TOM WHIPPS On Moral Understanding DNA pioneers: The surviving members of the King’s team, who worked on the discovery of the structure of DNA 50 years ago, withDavid James Watson, K Levytheir Cambridge ‘rival’ at the time. From left Ray Gosling, Herbert Wilson, DNA at King’s: DepartmentJames Watson and of Maurice Philosophy Wilkins King’s College the continuing story University of London Prize for his contribution – and A day of celebrations their teams, but also to subse- quent generations of scientists at ver 600 guests attended a cant scientific discovery of the King’s. unique day of events celeb- 20th century,’ in the words of Four Nobel Laureates – Mau- Orating King’s role in the 50th Principal Professor Arthur Lucas, rice Wilkins, James Watson, Sid- anniversary of the discovery of the ‘and their research changed ney Altman and Tim Hunt – double helix structure of DNA on the world’. attended the event which was so 22 April. The day paid tribute not only to oversubscribed that the proceed- Scientists at King’s played a King’s DNA pioneers Rosalind ings were relayed by video link to fundamental role in this momen- Franklin and Maurice Wilkins – tous discovery – ‘the most signifi- who went onto win the Nobel continued on page 2 2 Funding news | 3 Peace Operations Review | 5 Widening participation | 8 25 years of Anglo-French law | 11 Margaret Atwood at King’s | 12 Susan Gibson wins Rosalind Franklin Award | 15 Focus: School of Law | 16 Research news | 18 Books | 19 KCLSU election results | 20 Arts abcdef U N I V E R S I T Y O F L O N D O N A C C O M M O D A T I O N O F F I C E ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION - FINDING SOMEWHERE TO LIVE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR Thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy WARNING: Under no circumstances inshould the this University document be of taken London as providing legal advice.
    [Show full text]
  • On the Arrangement of the Platonic Dialogues
    Ryan C. Fowler 25th Hour On the Arrangement of the Platonic Dialogues I. Thrasyllus a. Diogenes Laertius (D.L.), Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers 3.56: “But, just as long ago in tragedy the chorus was the only actor, and afterwards, in order to give the chorus breathing space, Thespis devised a single actor, Aeschylus a second, Sophocles a third, and thus tragedy was completed, so too with philosophy: in early times it discoursed on one subject only, namely physics, then Socrates added the second subject, ethics, and Plato the third, dialectics, and so brought philosophy to perfection. Thrasyllus says that he [Plato] published his dialogues in tetralogies, like those of the tragic poets. Thus they contended with four plays at the Dionysia, the Lenaea, the Panathenaea and the festival of Chytri. Of the four plays the last was a satiric drama; and the four together were called a tetralogy.” b. Characters or types of dialogues (D.L. 3.49): 1. instructive (ὑφηγητικός) A. theoretical (θεωρηµατικόν) a. physical (φυσικόν) b. logical (λογικόν) B. practical (πρακτικόν) a. ethical (ἠθικόν) b. political (πολιτικόν) 2. investigative (ζητητικός) A. training the mind (γυµναστικός) a. obstetrical (µαιευτικός) b. tentative (πειραστικός) B. victory in controversy (ἀγωνιστικός) a. critical (ἐνδεικτικός) b. subversive (ἀνατρεπτικός) c. Thrasyllan categories of the dialogues (D.L. 3.50-1): Physics: Timaeus Logic: Statesman, Cratylus, Parmenides, and Sophist Ethics: Apology, Crito, Phaedo, Phaedrus, Symposium, Menexenus, Clitophon, the Letters, Philebus, Hipparchus, Rivals Politics: Republic, the Laws, Minos, Epinomis, Atlantis Obstetrics: Alcibiades 1 and 2, Theages, Lysis, Laches Tentative: Euthyphro, Meno, Io, Charmides and Theaetetus Critical: Protagoras Subversive: Euthydemus, Gorgias, and Hippias 1 and 2 :1 d.
    [Show full text]
  • Educational Management Tasks
    Transcending desire: The shaping of Christian thought by classical ideals of restraint and transcendence Ted Lynch BA, MA, DLIS, ATII(Int). # 24154113-2012 Thesis submitted for the degree Philosophiae Doctor in Church and Dogma History at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North- West University Promoter: Prof Dr J O’Hanlon Co-promoter: Prof Dr PH Fick June 2016 DEDICATION For my late father, Ted Lynch and Triestino father Nino Sterle —un abbraccione con tutta l’anima, per sempre. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Professors Joseph O‘Hanlon and Rikus Fick; Peg Evans and Tienie Buys: I can never thank you enough for your patience, solid criticism and equally solid support. Bless you all many times. Also Dean Maria Jannsen, Christchurch, Waterford; Abbado Magris, Trieste; Biblioteca del Dipartimento di Filosofia dell‗Università degli Studi di Padova: Anna Khorda; Bibliothèque Nationale de France (Morland): Justina Konin. Malina above all. Shane, Mam, Niall, Anne and Ashling. Thank you all. iii ABSTRACT Transcending sexual desire in favour of spiritual goals, while valuing the latter above the former in terms of importance and virtue, is a defining feature of early Christian theology. Some biblical scholars interpret the body and divinity in early Christianity as integrative— sublimation of sexuality was seen as liberation from the prevailing ethos of the body, or a form of promotion of the spiritual within the human dimension. By contrast, the current research will attempt to demonstrate that the symbiosis of Platonism and dualistic thought shapes the concept of sublimation in early Christian writers in a powerful and consistent way; further, the residual legacy of this continues to guide Christian perceptions and concerns on human sexuality.
    [Show full text]
  • Plato: Bibliographical Resources on Selected Dialogues
    Plato: Bibliographical Resources on Selected Dialogues https://www.ontology.co/biblio/plato-editions.htm Theory and History of Ontology by Raul Corazzon | e-mail: [email protected] Plato: Bibliographical Resources on Selected Dialogues GENERAL BIBLIOGRAPHICAL RESOURCES ON PLATO 1. Cherniss, Harold. 1959. "Plato's Bibliography 1950-1957 (First Part)." Lustrum.Internationale Forschungsberichte aus dem Bereich des klassischen Altertums no. 4:5-308. 2. ———. 1960. "Plato's Bibliography 1950-1957 (Second Part)." Lustrum.Internationale Forschungsberichte aus dem Bereich des klassischen Altertums no. 5:321-618. Register to the Plato-Report ( Lustrum 4/5) pp. 619-648. 3. Brisson, Luc. 1977. "Plato's Bibliography 1958-1975." Lustrum.Internationale Forschungsberichte aus dem Bereich des klassischen Altertums no. 20:5-304. 4. Brisson, Luc, and Ioannidi, Hélène. 1983. "Plato's Bibliography 1975-1980." Lustrum.Internationale Forschungsberichte aus dem Bereich des klassischen Altertums no. 25:31-320. Corrigenda à Platon 1975-1980 - Lustrum 26, 1984 pp. 205-206. 5. ———. 1988. "Plato's Bibliography 1980-1985." Lustrum.Internationale Forschungsberichte aus dem Bereich des klassischen Altertums no. 30:11-294. Corrigenda à Platon 1980-1985 - Lustrum 31, 1989 pp. 270-271. 6. ———. 1992. "Plato's Bibliography 1985-1990." Lustrum.Internationale Forschungsberichte aus dem Bereich des klassischen Altertums no. 34:7-338. 7. Brisson, Luc, and Plin, Frédéric. 1999. Platon 1990-1995. Bibliographie. Paris: Vrin. Table des Matières: Introduction P. 7; 1. Listes des périodiques et des ouvrages comprenant une collection d'articles mentionnés dans cette bibliographie p. 15; Périodiques p. 15; Actes de congrés, mélanges, recueils p. 27; 2. Platon et ses œuvres p. 47; œuvres complètes p.
    [Show full text]
  • Socrates, Phil Inquiry & the Elenctic Method (F11new)
    PLATO, PHILOSOPHICAL INQUIRY & THE ELENCTIC METHOD All human beings, by their nature, desire understanding. — Aristotle, Metaphysics (Book 1) The safest general characterisation of the European philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato. — Alfred North Whitehead, Process and Reality The elenctic method (part 1): on Meno’s enumerative THE BIG IDEAS TO MASTER definition of (human) virtue • Theory • Socratic humility On Platonic realism & Socratic definitions. According to Plato, a • The elenctic method central part of philosophical inquiry involves an attempt to • Platonic realism understand the Forms. This implies that he is committed the view • Platonic Forms we will call Platonic realism, namely, the view that • Socratic definitions • Essences Platonic realism. The Forms exist. • Natural kinds vs. artefacts • Abstract vs. concrete entities So, according to this theory, Reality contains the Forms. But what • Essential vs. accidental properties are the Forms? That question is best answered as follows. Much of • Counterexample the most important research that philosophers and other scholars do • Reductio ad absurdum argument involves an attempt to answer questions of the form ‘what is x?’ • Sound argument Physicists, for instance, ask ‘what is a black hole?’; biologists ask • Valid argument ‘what is an organism?’; mathematicians ask ‘what is a right triangle?’ • The correspondence theory of truth Let us call the correct answer to a what-is-x question the Socratic • Fact definition of x. We can say, then, that physicists are seeking the Socratic definition of a black hole, biologists investigate the Socratic definition of an organism, and mathematicians look to determine the Socratic definition of a right triangle.
    [Show full text]