The Midwife of Platonism: Text and Subtext in Plato's Theaetetus by David Sedley

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The Nile on eBay FREE SHIPPING UK WIDE The Midwife of Platonism by David Sedley The "Theaetetus" is among the most brilliant of Plato's dialogues. Since antiquity, it has been debated whether this dialogue was written by Plato to support his familiar metaphysical doctrines, or represents a self-distancing from these. This book offers a via media, founded on a radical separation of Plato from his main speaker, Socrates. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description Plato's Theaetetus is an acknowledged masterpiece, and among the most influential texts in the history of epistemology. Since antiquity it has been debated whether this dialogue was written by Plato to support his familiar metaphysical doctrines, or represents a self-distancing from these. David Sedley's book offers a via media, founded on a radical separation of the author, Plato, from his main speaker, Socrates. The dialogue, it is argued, isaddressed to readers familiar with Plato's mature doctrines, and sets out to show how these doctrines, far from being an abandonment of his Socratic heritage, are its natural outcome. The Socrates portrayed here is thesame Socrates as already portrayed in Plato's early dialogues. While not a Platonist, he is exhibited - to put it in terms of an image made famous by this dialogue - as having been Platonism's midwife. In a comprehensive rereading of the text, Sedley tracks the ways in which Socrates is shown unwittingly preparing the ground for Plato's mature doctrines, and reinterprets the dialogue's individual arguments from this perspective. The book is addressed to all readers interested in Plato,and does not require knowledge of Greek. Table of Contents 1: Opening moves2: 'Knowledge is perception'3: Relativism4: Perception5: Falsity puzzles6: AccountsBibliographyIndex locorumGeneral index Review `Review from previous edition elegant and engaging, a refreshing reconsideration of the relation of Plato to Socrates. . . . The Midwife of Platonism is an enjoyable book to read, which I recommend to anyone with an interest in the Theaetetus and in the perennial question of Socrates. This slim volume, written in a modest and accessible style, aims in its own quiet way to overturn an influential thesis about Platos development.'Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews`David Sedley is one of my favourite philosophical authors. Everything he writes is fresh, bold, interesting, provocative, sensitive, sympathetic, and a delight to read. He often makes interesting use of his considerable knowledge of the middle platonists.'Gail Fine, The Philosophical Quarterly Promotional A radical reinterpretation of a philosophical classic. Long Description Plato's Theaetetus is an acknowledged masterpiece, and among the most influential texts in the history of epistemology. Since antiquity it has been debated whether this dialogue was written by Plato to support his familiar metaphysical doctrines, or represents a self-distancing from these. David Sedley's book offers a via media, founded on a radical separation of the author, Plato, from his main speaker, Socrates. The dialogue, it is argued, is addressed to readers familiar with Plato's mature doctrines, and sets out to show how these doctrines, far from being an abandonment of his Socratic heritage, are its natural outcome. The Socrates portrayed here is the same Socrates as already portrayed in Plato's early dialogues. While not a Platonist, he is exhibited - to put it in terms of an image made famous by this dialogue - as having been Platonism's midwife. In a comprehensive rereading of the text, Sedley tracks the ways in which Socrates is shown unwittingly preparing the ground for Plato's mature doctrines, and reinterprets the dialogue's individual arguments from this perspective. The book is addressed to all readers interested in Plato, and does not require knowledge of Greek. Review Text `Review from previous edition elegant and engaging, a refreshing reconsideration of the relation of Plato to Socrates. . . . The Midwife of Platonism is an enjoyable book to read, which I recommend to anyone with an interest in the Theaetetus and in the perennial question of Socrates. This slim volume, written in a modest and accessible style, aims in its own quiet way to overturn an influential thesis about Platos development.' Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews `David Sedley is one of my favourite philosophical authors. Everything he writes is fresh, bold, interesting, provocative, sensitive, sympathetic, and a delight to read. He often makes interesting use of his considerable knowledge of the middle platonists.' Gail Fine, The Philosophical Quarterly Review Quote "The Midwife of Platonismby David Sedley is an enjoyable book to read. It is elegant and engaging, a refreshing reconsideration of the relation of Plato to Socrates...I reccommend [it] to anyone with an interest in theTheaetetusand in the perennial question of Socrates."--Notre Dame PhilosophicalReviews "David Sedley is one of my favorite philosophical authors. Everything he writes is fresh, bold, interesting, provocative, sensitive, sympathetic, and a delight to read. He often makes interesting use of his considerable knowledge of the middle platonists."--Gail Fine,The Philosophical Quarterly Feature A radical reinterpretation of a philosophical classic Essential new work from one of the world's most respected ancient philosophers No knowledge of Greek required Details ISBN 0199204144 Author David Sedley Short Title MIDWIFE OF PLATONISM Language English ISBN-10 0199204144 ISBN-13 9780199204144 Media Book Format Paperback Year 2006 Subtitle Text and Subtext in Plato's Theaetetus Place of Publication Oxford Country of Publication United Kingdom DEWEY 121 Affiliation University of Cambridge Cambridge University University of Cambridge Illustrations black & white illustrations DOI 10.1604/9780199204144 UK Release Date 2006-07-27 AU Release Date 2006-07-27 NZ Release Date 2006-07-27 Pages 212 Publisher Oxford University Press Publication Date 2006-07-27 Alternative 9780199267033 Audience Undergraduate Imprint Oxford University Press Country of Origin US Product Class Description Philosophy We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! 30 DAY RETURN POLICY No questions asked, 30 day returns! FREE DELIVERY No matter where you are in the UK, delivery is free. SECURE PAYMENT Peace of mind by paying through PayPal and eBay Buyer Protection TheNile_Item_ID:167894196;