The Aporetic Tradition in Ancient Philosophy

The first comprehensive study of the function and value of aporia, or puzzlement, as a key tool in ancient philosophical enquiry.

George Karamanolis (Edited by), Vasilis Politis (Edited by)

9781107526631, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 22 August 2019

327 pages, 1 b/w illus.
22.9 x 15 x 1.7 cm, 0.35 kg

'Questions … are raised and answered in a surprisingly diverse, yet unified series of studies.' Lloyd Gerson, Journal of the History of Philosophy

Ancient philosophers from an otherwise diverse range of traditions were connected by their shared use of aporia - translated as puzzlement rooted in conflicts of reasons - as a core tool in philosophical enquiry. The essays in this volume provide the first comprehensive study of aporetic methodology among numerous major figures and influential schools, including the Presocratics, Plato, Aristotle, Plutarch, Alexander of Aphrodisias, Academic sceptics, Pyrrhonian sceptics, Plotinus and Damascius. They explore the differences and similarities in these philosophers' approaches to the source, structure, and aim of aporia, their views on its function and value, and ideas about the proper means of generating such a state among thinkers who were often otherwise opposed in their overall philosophical orientation. Discussing issues of method, dialectic, and knowledge, the volume will appeal to those interested in ancient philosophy and in philosophical enquiry more generally.

Introduction George Karamanolis and Vasilis Politis
1. Contradiction and aporia in early Greek philosophy John Palmer
2. Socrates and the benefits of puzzlement Jan Szaif
3. Aporia and sceptical argument in Plato's early dialogues Vasilis Politis
4. Aporia in Plato's Parmenides Verity Harte
5. Aporia in Plato's Theaetetus and Sophist Lesley Brown
6. Aporia and dialectical method in Aristotle Christof Rapp
7. Aporia in Aristotle's Metaphysics Beta Friedemann Buddensiek
8. Uses of aporiai in Aristotle's Generation of Animals Jessica Gelber
9. Aporia and the New Academy James Allen
10. Aporetic elements in Plutarch's philosophy John Dillon
11. Aporia and enquiry in ancient Pyrrhonism Luca Castagnoli
12. Aporia and exegesis: Alexander of Aphrodisias Inna Kupreeva
13. The aporetic character of Plotinus' philosophy George Karamanolis
14. Aporia and the limits of reason and of language in Damascius Damian Caluori.

Subject Areas: Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500 [HPCA]