Socratic Rationalism and Political Philosophy

An Interpretation of Plato's Phaedo

Paul Stern (Autor)

Buch | Hardcover

240 Seiten

1993
State University of New York Press (Verlag)
978-0-7914-1573-3 (ISBN)

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In this new interpretation of Plato's Phaedo, Paul Stern considers the dialogue as an invaluable source for understanding the distinctive character of Socratic rationalism. First, he demonstrates, contrary to the charge of such thinkers as Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Rorty, that Socrates' rationalism does not rest on the dogmatic presumption of the rationality of nature. Second, he shows that the distinctively Socratic mode of philosophizing is formulated precisely with a view to vindicating the philosophic life in the face of these uncertainties. And finally, he argues that this vindication results in a mode of inquiry that finds its ground in a clear understanding of the problematical but enduring human situation. Stern concludes that Socratic rationalism, aware as it is of the limits of reason, still provides a nondogmatic and nonarbitrary basis for human understanding.

Paul Stern is Assistant Professor of Politics at Ursinus College.

Acknowledgments

I. Introduction

The Issues of the Phaedo

Mode of Interpretation

II. The Defense of Socrates

Overview

The Opening Scene

Socrates' Poetic Defense of Philosophy

Philosophy as Preparation for Death

III. The Proofs of Immortality

Overview

Opposites

Recollection

Likeness

Objections

IV. Socrates' 'Second Sailing

Overview

Misology

Socrates' Reply to Simmias: Soul as Harmonia

Socrates' Reply to Cebes: The Second Sailing

Socrates' varying views of nature

The 'second sailing'

V. Socrates' Final Teaching

Overview

Immortality and Imperishability

The True Earth

The Death of Socrates

VI. Conclusion

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Erscheint lt. Verlag	31.8.1993
Verlagsort	Albany, NY
Sprache	englisch
Gewicht	508 g
Themenwelt	Geisteswissenschaften ► Philosophie ► Philosophie Altertum / Antike
ISBN-10	0-7914-1573-2 / 0791415732
ISBN-13	978-0-7914-1573-3 / 9780791415733
Zustand	Neuware