The Parmenides

Sandra Peterson

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Parmenides contrasts with Plato's other works in several ways. For example, Socrates is depicted as "very young perhaps fifteen or nineteen." Parmenides questions Socrates, who contradicts himself; in other dialogues of question and answer, Socrates typically questions others, who contradict themselves. The article deals with the philosophical dialogues had take place between Socrates and Zeno. Parmenides refutes Socrates on the topic of forms, items such as justice itself and good itself, while the older Socrates of other dialogues presents forms as central to philosophy; the dialogue thus raises the question whether its criticism of forms signals Plato's revision of views expressed in previous writings. The article also elaborates on the dialogue between Socrates and Zeno, which gradually unravels a discourse on form and likeness. Parmenides speaks of "something beautiful and just and good." As it proceeds, the article unravels a debate that rages over things becoming like and unlike in a respect and to an extent. Both of them through their individual dialogues unfold a series of philosophical theories and treatise.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationThe Oxford Handbook of Plato
PublisherOxford University Press
ISBN (Electronic)9780199892044
ISBN (Print)9780195182903
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2 2009

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© Oxford University Press, 2014.

Keywords

  • Dialogue
  • Form
  • Justice
  • Like
  • Parmenides
  • Philosophical dialogues
  • Signals
  • Theories
  • Treatise
  • Unlike

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