The Midwife of Platonism: Text and Subtext in Plato's Theaetetus

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David Sedley (, Laurence Professor of Ancient Philosophy, University of Cambridge)

The Midwife of Platonism

Text and Subtext in Plato's Theaetetus

David Sedley (, Laurence Professor of Ancient Philosophy, University of Cambridge)

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English

Oxford University Press
01 August 2006

Literary studies: classical, early & medieval; Philosophy; Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500; Philosophy: epistemology & theory of knowledge

Plato's Theaetetus is an acknowledged masterpiece, and among the most influential texts in the history of epistemology. Since antiquity it has been debated whether this dialogue was written by Plato to support his familiar metaphysical doctrines, or represents a self-distancing from these. David Sedley's book offers a via media, founded on a radical separation of the author, Plato, from his main speaker, Socrates. The dialogue, it is argued, is addressed to readers familiar with Plato's mature doctrines, and sets out to show how these doctrines, far from being an abandonment of his Socratic heritage, are its natural outcome. The Socrates portrayed here is the same Socrates as already portrayed in Plato's early dialogues. While not a Platonist, he is exhibited - to put it in terms of an image made famous by this dialogue - as having been Platonism's midwife. In a comprehensive rereading of the text, Sedley tracks the ways in which Socrates is shown unwittingly preparing the ground for Plato's mature doctrines, and reinterprets the dialogue's individual arguments from this perspective. The book is addressed to all readers interested in Plato, and does not require knowledge of Greek.

By: David Sedley ( Laurence Professor of Ancient Philosophy University of Cambridge)
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Edition: New edition
Dimensions: Height: 215mm, Width: 138mm, Spine: 12mm
Weight: 175g
ISBN: 9780199204144
ISBN 10: 0199204144
Pages: 224
Publication Date: 01 August 2006
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , Professional & Vocational , A / AS level , Further / Higher Education
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Reviews for The Midwife of Platonism: Text and Subtext in Plato's Theaetetus

The Midwife of Platonism by David Sedley is an enjoyable book to read. It is elegant and engaging, a refreshing reconsideration of the relation of Plato to Socrates...I reccommend [it] to anyone with an interest in the Theaetetus and in the perennial question of Socrates. --Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews<br> David Sedley is one of my favorite philosophical authors. Everything he writes is fresh, bold, interesting, provocative, sensitive, sympathetic, and a delight to read. He often makes interesting use of his considerable knowledge of the middle platonists. --Gail Fine, The Philosophical Quarterly<br>