Who Speaks for Plato? Studies in Platonic Anonymity

by Ausland, Hayden W.; Benitez, Eugenio; Blondell, Ruby; Gerson, Lloyd P.; Gonzalez, Francisco J.; Mulhern, J J.; Nails, Debra; Ostenfeld, Erik; Press, Gerald A.; Scott, Gary Alan; Smith, P Christopher; Tarrant, Harold; Thesleff, Holger; Waugh, Joanne; Welto

• ISBN13: 9780847692187
• ISBN10: 0847692183
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-05-30
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Summary

In this international and interdisciplinary collection of critical essays, distinguished contributors examine a crucial premise of traditional readings of Plato's dialogues: that Plato's own doctrines and arguments can be read off the statements made in the dialogues by Socrates and other leading characters. The authors argue in general and with reference to specific dialogues, that no character should be taken to be Plato's mouthpiece. This is essential reading for students and scholars of Plato.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(15)
Gerald A. Press
Part I. Theory and History
Mouthpiece Schmouthpiece	15	(12)
Debra Nails
The Logic of Attributing Characters' Views to Plato	27	(12)
Gerald A. Press
Socrates and the Character of Platonic Dialogue	39	(14)
Joanne Waugh
The Philosopher Conducting Dialectic	53	(14)
Holger Thesleff
Where Plato Speaks: Reflections on an Ancient Debate	67	(16)
Harold Tarrant
Part II. Research on Specific Dialogues
Cowardice, Moral Philosophy, and Saying What You Think	83	(16)
Eugenio Benitez
Why Doesn't Plato Speak?	99	(14)
Elinor J. M. West
Not Doctrine but `Placing in Question': The ``Thrasymachus'' (Rep. I) as an Erostesis of Commercialization	113	(14)
P. Christopher Smith
Letting Plato Speak for Himself: Character and Method in the Republic	127	(20)
Ruby Blondell
Eros as Messenger in Diotima's Teaching	147	(14)
Gary Alan Scott
William A. Welton
The Eleatic Stranger: His Master's Voice?	161	(22)
Francisco J. Gonzalez
Who Speaks for Whom in the Timaeus-Critias?	183	(18)
Hayden W. Ausland
Part III. Criticisms and Alternatives
Plato Absconditus	201	(10)
Lloyd P. Gerson
Who Speaks for Plato? Everyone!	211	(10)
Erik Ostenfeld
Interpreting the Platonic Dialogues: What Can One Say?	221	(14)
J. J. Mulhern
General Index	235	(4)
Platonic Index	239	(4)
About the Contributors	243