Author: Simone Luzzatto
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG
ISBN: 3110557606
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 580
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Book Description
Socrates, Or On Human Knowledge, published in Venice in 1651, is the only work written by a Jew that contains so far the promise of a genuinely sceptical investigation into the validity of human certainties. Simone Luzzatto masterly developed this book as a pièce of theatre where Socrates, as main actor, has the task to demonstrate the limits and weaknesses of the human capacity to acquire knowledge without being guided by revelation. He achieved this goal by offering an overview of the various and contradictory gnosiological opinions disseminated since ancient times: the divergence of views, to which he addressed the most attention, prevented him from giving a fixed definition of the nature of the cognitive process. This obliged him to come to the audacious conclusion of neither affirming nor denying anything concerning human knowledge, and finally of suspending his judgement altogether. This work unfortunately had little success in Luzzatto’s lifetime, and was subsequently almost forgotten. The absence of substantial evidence from his contemporaries and that of his epistolary have thus increased the difficulty of tracing not only its legacy in the history of philosophical though, but also of understanding the circumstances surrounding the writing of his Socrates. The present edition will be a preliminary study aiming to shed some light on the philosophical and historical value of this work’s translation, indeed it will provide a broader readership with the opportunity to access this immensely complicated work and also to grasp some aspects of the composite intellectual framework and admirable modernity of Venetian Jewish culture in the ghetto.
Author: Simone Luzzatto
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG
ISBN: 3110558351
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 739
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Book Description
Socrates, Or On Human Knowledge, published in Venice in 1651, is the only work written by a Jew that contains so far the promise of a genuinely sceptical investigation into the validity of human certainties. Simone Luzzatto masterly developed this book as a pièce of theatre where Socrates, as main actor, has the task to demonstrate the limits and weaknesses of the human capacity to acquire knowledge without being guided by revelation. He achieved this goal by offering an overview of the various and contradictory gnosiological opinions disseminated since ancient times: the divergence of views, to which he addressed the most attention, prevented him from giving a fixed definition of the nature of the cognitive process. This obliged him to come to the audacious conclusion of neither affirming nor denying anything concerning human knowledge, and finally of suspending his judgement altogether. This work unfortunately had little success in Luzzatto’s lifetime, and was subsequently almost forgotten. The absence of substantial evidence from his contemporaries and that of his epistolary have thus increased the difficulty of tracing not only its legacy in the history of philosophical though, but also of understanding the circumstances surrounding the writing of his Socrates. The present edition will be a preliminary study aiming to shed some light on the philosophical and historical value of this work’s translation, indeed it will provide a broader readership with the opportunity to access this immensely complicated work and also to grasp some aspects of the composite intellectual framework and admirable modernity of Venetian Jewish culture in the ghetto.
Author: Sara Brill
Publisher: Indiana University Press
ISBN: 0253008913
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 273
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Book Description
“A book that is an ambitious, well-researched and provocative scholarly reflection on soul in the Platonic corpus.” —Polis By focusing on the immortal character of the soul in key Platonic dialogues, Sara Brill shows how Plato thought of the soul as remarkably flexible, complex, and indicative of the inner workings of political life and institutions. As she explores the character of the soul, Brill reveals the corrective function that law and myth serve. If the soul is limitless, she claims, then the city must serve a regulatory or prosthetic function and prop up good political institutions against the threat of the soul’s excess. Brill’s sensitivity to dramatic elements and discursive strategies in Plato’s dialogues illuminates the intimate connection between city and soul. “Sara Brill takes on at least two significant issues in Platonic scholarship: the nature of the soul, and especially the language of immortality in its description, and the relationship between politics and psychology. She treats each one of these topics in a fresh and nuanced way. Her writing is beautiful and fluid.” —Marina McCoy, Boston College
Author: Christopher Moore
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1107123305
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 295
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Book Description
The first systematic study of Socrates' interest in selfhood, examining ancient philosophical ideas of what constitutes the self.
Author: Lorraine Smith Pangle
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 022613668X
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 287
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Book Description
The relation between virtue and knowledge is at the heart of the Socratic view of human excellence, but it also points to a central puzzle of the Platonic dialogues: Can Socrates be serious in his claims that human excellence is constituted by one virtue, that vice is merely the result of ignorance, and that the correct response to crime is therefore not punishment but education? Or are these assertions mere rhetorical ploys by a notoriously complex thinker? Lorraine Smith Pangle traces the argument for the primacy of virtue and the power of knowledge throughout the five dialogues that feature them most prominently—the Apology, Gorgias, Protagoras, Meno, and Laws—and reveals the truth at the core of these seemingly strange claims. She argues that Socrates was more aware of the complex causes of human action and of the power of irrational passions than a cursory reading might suggest. Pangle’s perceptive analyses reveal that many of Socrates’s teachings in fact explore the factors that make it difficult for humans to be the rational creatures that he at first seems to claim. Also critical to Pangle’s reading is her emphasis on the political dimensions of the dialogues. Underlying many of the paradoxes, she shows, is a distinction between philosophic and civic virtue that is critical to understanding them. Ultimately, Pangle offers a radically unconventional way of reading Socrates’s views of human excellence: Virtue is not knowledge in any ordinary sense, but true virtue is nothing other than wisdom.
Author: Plato
Publisher: Prabhat Prakashan
ISBN:
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 39
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Book Description
Apology, a foundational text by Plato, presents a compelling account of Socrates' defense during his trial in 399 BC, where he faces charges of corrupting the youth and impiety. Through a series of eloquent arguments and thought-provoking dialogues, Socrates defends his philosophical beliefs and way of life, emphasizing the importance of virtue and the examined life. The narrative unfolds as Socrates addresses the Athenian jury, challenging the conventions of his time and urging them to reflect on their understanding of justice and morality. He famously asserts that “the unexamined life is not worth living,” advocating for a life of inquiry and self-reflection. His interactions with fellow citizens highlight the tension between societal norms and personal integrity, as he remains steadfast in his pursuit of truth. Apology is renowned for its philosophical insights and rhetorical brilliance. It serves not only as a defense of Socrates but also as a critique of Athenian democracy and the philosophical ignorance that often underpins public opinion. Plato’s masterful portrayal of Socratic irony and ethical inquiry invites readers to consider the nature of knowledge, wisdom, and the moral responsibilities of individuals within society. Readers are drawn to Apology for its profound exploration of ethics and the courage to stand by one’s convictions. This book is essential for anyone interested in philosophy, law, or the principles of democracy. Engaging with Socratic thought encourages readers to question their beliefs and fosters a deeper understanding of the importance of intellectual integrity. Owning a copy of Apology not only enriches one’s knowledge but also inspires a commitment to personal and societal betterment, making it a vital addition to any literary collection.
Author: Paul Stern
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9781107407923
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 0
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Book Description
The Theaetetus is one of the most widely studied of any of the Platonic dialogues because its dominant theme concerns the significant philosophical question, what is knowledge? In this new interpretation of the Theaetetus, Paul Stern provides the first full-length treatment of its political character in relationship to this dominant theme. Stern argues that this approach sheds significant light on the distinctiveness of the Socratic way of life, with respect to both its initial justification and its ultimate character.
Author: Paul A. Vander Waerdt
Publisher: Cornell University Press
ISBN: 9780801499036
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 420
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Book Description
14 essays which examine the efforts of Socrates' associates to preserve his speeches for posterity. The papers place particular emphasis on the non-Platonic tradition.
Author: Eduard Zeller
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Philosophy, Ancient
Languages : en
Pages : 436
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Book Description
Author: John Locke
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Knowledge, Theory of
Languages : en
Pages : 700
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Book Description
