The Platonic Mind

Plato is one of the most widely read and studied philosophers of all time. A pivotal figure in the history of philosophy, his work is foundational to the Western philosophical tradition. The Platonic Mind provides an extensive survey of his work, not only placing it in its historical context but also exploring its contemporary significance. Comprising over 30 specially commissioned chapters by an international team of contributors, the volume is divided into three clear parts: - Reading Plato's Dialogues - Themes From Plato - Plato's Influences and Significance Within these sections key topics are addressed including the nature of reality and the physical world; human cognition, including knowledge, sense perception, and affective states; society, politics, and law; his method of inquiry and literary style; his influence on subsequent thinkers and traditions; and studies on a wide range of individual Platonic dialogues. Plato's work is central to the study of ancient philosophy, Greek philosophy, history of philosophy, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, political philosophy, epistemology, philosophy of science, ethics, philosophy of language, legal philosophy, and philosophy of religion. As such The Platonic Mind is essential reading for all students and researchers in philosophy. It will also be of interest to those studying Plato in related disciplines such as politics, law, ancient history, literature, and religious studies.

Peter D. Larsen is Lecturer in the School of Philosophy, University College Dublin, and in the School of Theology, Philosophy, and Music, Dublin City University, Ireland. Vasilis Politis is Professor of Philosophy in the Department of Philosophy, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.

Introduction Peter D. Larsen and Vasilis Politis Part 1: Reading Plato's Dialogues 1. Self-Knowledge in Plato's Charmides Raphael Woolf 2. Plato's Protagoras, Virtue, and Happiness Iakovos Vasiliou 3. The Meno David Ebrey 4. The Gorgias Frisbee Sheffield 5. The Hippias Major David C. Lee 6. Is the Just Man a Bad Man? Hippias Minor and Republic I 331d-334b Roslyn Weiss 7. The Phaedo: Structure and Meaning Lloyd P. Gerson 8. The Cratylus David Meißner 9. Reading Plato's Republic: Defending Justice Jyl Gentzler 10. The Phaedrus S. Glenn 11. The Euthydemus Benoît Castelnérac 12. Dialectic and the Discrimination of Kinds in the Sophist Fiona Leigh 13. The Parmenides Samuel C. Rickless 14. The Timaeus Luca Pitteloud 15. Plato's Seventh Letter Vasilis Politis Part 2: Themes from Plato 16. The Platonic Socrates Terence Irwin 17. Plato's Questions and the Art of Questioning Angela Longo 18. Plato on Essences and Forms Vasilis Politis 19. Sense Perception and its Content Peter D. Larsen 20. Plato on Language and Thought Deborah K. W. Modrak 21. Truth, Music, and the "Measured" Mind Jan Szaif 22. Plato on Pleasure and Pain Clerk Shaw 23. Episteme Joseph Bjelde 24. Plato on Friendship and Love Vasilis Politis 25. The Benefits of Inquiring Jointly Toomas Lott and Pauliina Remes 26. Law and its Functions Antony Hatzistavrou 27. Humor, Comedy, and Irony in Plato Franco Trivigno Part 3: Plato's Influences and Significance 28. Plato's Use of His Predecessors Nicolò Benzi 29. Plato and Aristotle on the Nature of Reality Christopher Buckels 30. The Development and Insights of Jewish Platonism Kenneth Seeskin 31. Plato in the Renaissance Leo Catana 32. Why Plato? A Defense of Platonism Against the Deflationary Metaphysics of Naturalism Philip Browne. Index