The philosophic importance of political life : on the digression in Plato`s theaetetus
By: STERN, Paul
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Material type: 
ArticlePublisher: American Political Science Association, june. 2002American Political Science Review 96, 2, p. 275-289Abstract: The reassessment of Plato`s stance toward democracy has made his understanding of the relationship between philosophy and politics a salient issue. To gain clarity on this issue, I examine the central passage of Plato`s Theaetetus, which treats the conflict between the philosopher and the orator-politician. Located in a dialogue devoted to the meaning of knowledge and often dismissed as a digression, the passage has received relatively scant attention regarding this issue. A careful consideration of the passage and its context, however, shows that the question of the meaningof knowledge reuires a consideration of the more comprehensive question of good and that this question is properly investigated through an examination of political life. Socrates thus focuses on politics not to guide pol;itical life but rather to vindicate the philosophic life. An appreciation of this motive should inform reflection concerning Plato`s view of the relationship between philosophy and politics
| Item type | Current location | Collection | Call number | Status | Date due | Barcode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Periódico | Biblioteca Graciliano Ramos | Periódico | Not for loan |
The reassessment of Plato`s stance toward democracy has made his understanding of the relationship between philosophy and politics a salient issue. To gain clarity on this issue, I examine the central passage of Plato`s Theaetetus, which treats the conflict between the philosopher and the orator-politician. Located in a dialogue devoted to the meaning of knowledge and often dismissed as a digression, the passage has received relatively scant attention regarding this issue. A careful consideration of the passage and its context, however, shows that the question of the meaningof knowledge reuires a consideration of the more comprehensive question of good and that this question is properly investigated through an examination of political life. Socrates thus focuses on politics not to guide pol;itical life but rather to vindicate the philosophic life. An appreciation of this motive should inform reflection concerning Plato`s view of the relationship between philosophy and politics
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