Plato is one of the most widely read and studied philosophers of all time. A pivotal figure in the history of philosophy, his work is foundational to the Western philosophical tradition.
The Platonic Mind provides an extensive survey of his work, not only placing it in its historical context but also exploring its contemporary significance. Comprising over thirty specially commissioned chapters by an international team of contributors, the volume is divided into three clear parts:
- Reading Plato’s Dialogues
- Themes from Plato
- Plato’s Influences and Significance
Within these sections key topics are addressed including: the nature of reality and the physical world; human cognition, including knowledge, sense perception, and affective states; society, politics, and law; his method of inquiry and literary style; his influence on subsequent thinkers and traditions; studies on a wide range of individual Platonic dialogues.
Plato’s work is central to the study of ancient philosophy, Greek philosophy, history of philosophy, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, political philosophy, epistemology, philosophy of science, ethics, philosophy of language, legal philosophy, and philosophy of religion. As such The Platonic Mind is essential reading for all students and researchers in philosophy. It will also be of interest to those studying Plato in related disciplines such as politics, law, ancient history, literature, and religious studies.
Introduction Peter D. Larsen and Vasilis Politis
Part 1: Reading Plato’s Dialogues
1. Self-Knowledge in Plato’s Charmides Raphael Woolf
2. Plato’s Protagoras, Virtue, and Happiness Iakovos Vasiliou
3. The Meno David Ebrey
4. The Gorgias Frisbee Sheffield
5. The Hippias Major David C. Lee
6. Is the Just Man a Bad Man? Hippias Minor and Republic I 331d–334b Roslyn Weiss
7. The Phaedo: Structure and Meaning Lloyd P. Gerson
8. The Cratylus David Meißner
9. Reading Plato’s Republic: Defending Justice Jyl Gentzler
10. The Phaedrus S. Glenn
11. The Euthydemus Benoît Castelnérac
12. Dialectic and the Discrimination of Kinds in the Sophist Fiona Leigh
13. The Parmenides Samuel C. Rickless
14. The Timaeus Luca Pitteloud
15. Plato’s Seventh Letter Vasilis Politis
Part 2: Themes from Plato
16. The Platonic Socrates Terence Irwin
17. Plato’s Questions and the Art of Questioning Angela Longo
18. Plato on Essences and Forms Vasilis Politis
19. Sense Perception and its Content Peter D. Larsen
20. Plato on Language and Thought Deborah K. W. Modrak
21. Truth, Music, and the “Measured” Mind Jan Szaif
22. Plato on Pleasure and Pain Clerk Shaw
23. Episteme Joseph Bjelde
24. Plato on Friendship and Love Vasilis Politis
25. The Benefits of Inquiring Jointly Toomas Lott and Pauliina Remes
26. Law and its Functions Antony Hatzistavrou
27. Humor, Comedy, and Irony in Plato Franco Trivigno
Part 3: Plato’s Influences and Significance
28. Plato’s Use of His Predecessors Nicolò Benzi
29. Plato and Aristotle on the Nature of Reality Christopher Buckels
30. The Development and Insights of Jewish Platonism Kenneth Seeskin
31. Plato in the Renaissance Leo Catana
32. Why Plato? A Defense of Platonism Against the Deflationary Metaphysics of Naturalism Philip Browne.
Index
Biography
Peter D. Larsen is Lecturer in the School of Philosophy, University College Dublin and in the School of Theology, Philosophy, and Music, Dublin City University, Ireland.
Vasilis Politis is Professor in Philosophy in the Department of Philosophy, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
