The Ancient Quarrel between Philosophy and Poetry Revisited Plato and the Greek Literary Tradition

by Levin, Susan B.

• ISBN13: 9780195136067
• ISBN10: 0195136063
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-12-07
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

In this study, Levin explores Plato's engagement with the Greek literary tradition in his treatment of key linguistic issues. This investigation, conjoined with a new interpretation of the Republic 's familiar critique of poets, supports the view that Plato's work represents a valuable precedent for contemporary reflections on ways in which philosophy might benefit from appeals to literature.

Author Biography

Susan Levin is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Smith College.

Table of Contents

Abbreviations and Texts
Introduction	p. 3
Literary Etymology	p. 13
Other Expressions of a Belief in Substantial Ties between Onomata and Elements of Reality	p. 31
Etymology and the Cratylus' Sources: an Investigation of the Literary Tradition's Importance	p. 42
Orthotes Onomaton: The Cratylus' Engagement with Literary Practice	p. 45
Other Proposed Sources of the Cratylus' Discussion of Etymology	p. 64
The Structure and Outcome of the Cratylus' Inquiry	p. 80
The Techne Issue in the Cratylus	p. 82
Nature and Convention: The Cratylus' Resolution	p. 89
The Dialogue's Conclusion	p. 94
Conceptions of Appropriateness: Plato's Revision of Literary Usage in the Phaedo and Republic 5	p. 99
Pouring New Wine into Old Skins: Reflections on Literary and Platonic Eponymy	p. 99
Functional Terms: Literary Usage and Plato's Revision Thereof	p. 119
The Quarrel between Philosophy and Poetry: A Reexamination of Poetry's Role in Plato's Republic	p. 127
Poetry and the Concept of Techne: The Cratylus Briefly Revisited	p. 129
The Republic's Challenge to Poetry's Techne Status	p. 131
Plato's Defense of Philosophy as the Techne Par Excellence	p. 135
A Techne of Poetry? The Status of Revised Literary Practice	p. 143
Poetry's Function in the Ideal Polis	p. 150
Conclusion	p. 168
Bibliography	p. 173
General Index	p. 189
Index Locorum	p. 204
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