Knowledge and Politics in Plato's Theaetetus

In this book, Paul Stern provides a full-length treatment of the political character of Plato's Theaetetus.

Paul Stern (Author)

9781107407923, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 4 October 2012

326 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm, 0.48 kg

Review of the hardback: 'In all, the book offers a very interesting tour through the Theaetetus with many astute observations.' Bryn Mawr Classical Review

The Theaetetus is one of the most widely studied of any of the Platonic dialogues because its dominant theme concerns the significant philosophical question, what is knowledge? In this book Paul Stern provides a full-length treatment of its political character in relationship to this dominant theme. He argues that this approach sheds significant light on the distinctiveness of the Socratic way of life, with respect to both its initial justification and its ultimate character. More specifically, he argues that Socrates' revolutionary decision to subject political life to philosophic reflection, the decision that leads directly to his trial and execution, is based on his awareness of the elusiveness of comprehensive knowledge and the implications of that elusiveness for the validity of philosophic inquiry. This view of Socrates' rationale has important consequences for our understanding of political philosophy and of the validity of the life of reason itself.

1. Knowledge, politics, and midwifery
2. The prologue
3. Socratic midwifery
4. The delivery
5. The assessment - part 1
6. The digression
7. The assessment - part II
8. False opinion
9. True opinion and logos
10. The wisdom of the midwife.

Subject Areas: Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500 [HPCA], Classical history / classical civilisation [HBLA1], Literary studies: classical, early & medieval [DSBB]