Plato's Natural Philosophy: A Study of the Timaeus-Critias

ISBN-13: 9780521790673 / Angielski / Twarda / 2004 / 228 str.

Thomas Kjeller Johansen

Opis

The Timaeus-Critias is concerned with cosmology and Plato's claim that its central task is to articulate the way in which the cosmos manifests the values of goodness and beauty. This book examines this important dialogue in its entirety using current methods of Platonic scholarship. Arguing that Aristotle's physics is far closer to the Timaeus than usually realized, the study's other prominent findings reinforce the dialogue's essentially moral message, and clarify its literary character.

Recenzje

Review of the hardback: 'Johansen's book sets out many independently stimulating problems and individually motivated answers. However, as Johansen argues for both the dialogue and the cosmos he discusses, it is best appreciated when viewed as a finely constructed whole.' Journal of Hellenic Studies

Spis treści

Acknowledgements; Introduction: Plato's tales of teleology; 1. What is the Timaeus-Critias about?; 2. The status of the Atlantis story; 3. The status of Timaeus' account; 4. Teleology and craftsmanship; 5. Necessity and teleology; 6. Space and motion; 7. Body, soul and tripartition; 8. Perception and cosmology; 9. Dialogue and dialectic; Epilogue; Bibliography; General index; Index locorum.