Philebus

by Plato (Author); Waterfield, Robin H. (Translator); Waterfield, Robin H. (Introduction by)

• ISBN13: 9780140443950
• ISBN10: 0140443959
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1983-02-01
• Publisher: Viking Pr

Summary

Taking the form of a discussion between the hedonist Philebus, his naïve disciple Protarchus and Socrates, Philebus is a compelling consideration of the popular belief that pleasure is the greatest attainable good. Here, Socrates speculates on the differing intensities of both pleasure and pain; explores the notion that they can be divided into pure and impure types; considers the relationship between the one and the many; and establishes knowledge as a far higher goal. A profound argument that true fulfillment can only be achieved by the pursuit of beauty, truth and moderation, Philebus is among the earliest and most fascinating explorations of one of the most fundamental human questions: how to lead a good life.

Table of Contents

Preface
Selected Bibliography
Introductory Essay
The introductory challenge: pleasure vs. knowledge (11a-14b)	p. 1
The "dialectical" part of the discussion: the classification of pleasure and knowledge (14b-31b)	p. 5
The problem of the One and Many (14b-20a)	p. 5
The Dream of Socrates and the compromise solution (20b-23b)	p. 14
The fourfold division of all beings (23b-27c)	p. 18
The genera of pleasure and knowledge (27c-31b)	p. 25
The "critical" part of the discussion: critique of pleasure and knowledge (31b-59d)	p. 30
The critique of pleasure: the nature of pleasure and pain (31b-36c)	p. 30
The question of false pleasures (36c-50e)	p. 38
False pleasures: pleasures falsely depicted (36c-41b)	p. 38
False pleasures: inflated pleasures (41b-42c)	p. 46
False pleasures: confusion of pleasure with freedom from pain (42c-44e)	p. 48
False pleasures: pleasures mixed with pain (44e-50e)	p. 52
True pleasures (50e-55c)	p. 60
The critique of knowledge: pure and impure forms (55c-59d)	p. 66
The "synthetic" part of the discussion: mixing together the good life (59d-64b)	p. 72
The solution of the discussion: the final ranking of goods (64c-67b)	p. 79
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