1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910585770903321

Autore

Clark Justin C.

Titolo

Plato's Dialogues of Definition : Causal and Conceptual Investigations / / by Justin C. Clark

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Cham : , : Springer International Publishing : , : Imprint : Palgrave Macmillan, , 2022

ISBN

9783031078491

3031078497

Edizione

[1st ed. 2022.]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (205 pages)

Disciplina

160

184

Soggetti

Philosophy

Philosophy - History

Knowledge, Theory of

History of Philosophy

Epistemology

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nota di contenuto

Chapter 1. Plato's Dialogues of Definition: A Socratic Philosophy -- Chapter 2. Socratic Inquiry and the "What is F-ness?" Question.-Chapter 3: Socratic Ethics and Unity of the Virtues -- Chapter 4. Socratic Epistemology and the Priority of Definition -- Chapter 5. Socratic Inquiry and Aporetic Endings -- Chapter 6: The Search for Temperance in Charmides -- Chapter 7: The Search for Friendship in Lysis -- Chapter 8: The Search for Beauty in Hippias Major.

Sommario/riassunto

In each of Plato's "dialogues of definition" (Euthyphro, Laches, Meno, Charmides, Lysis, Republic I, Hippias Major), Socrates motivates philosophical discussion by posing a question of the form "What is F-ness?" Yet these dialogues are notorious for coming up empty. Socrates' interlocutors repeatedly fail to deliver satisfactory answers. Thus, the dialogues of definition are often considered negative- empty of any positive philosophical content. Justin C. Clark resists the negative reading, arguing that the dialogues of definition contain positive "Socratic" answers. In order to see the positive theory, however,



one must recognize what Clark calls the "dual function" of the "What is F-ness?" question. Socrates is not looking for a single type of answer. Rather, Socrates is looking for two distinct types of answers. The "What is F-ness?" question serves as a springboard for two types of investigation- conceptual and causal. The key to understanding any of the dialogues ofdefinition, therefore, is to decipher between them. Clark offers a way to do just that, at once resolving interpretive issues in Socratic philosophy, providing systematic interpretations of the negative endings, and generating important new readings of the Charmides and Lysis, whilst casting further doubt on the authenticity of the Hippias Major. Justin C. Clark is Assistant professor of philosophy at Hamilton College.