Theaetetus (Classics) by Plato (EPUB)

Description

Set immediately prior to the trial and execution of Socrates in 399 BC, Theaetetus shows the great philosopher considering the nature of knowledge itself, in a debate with the geometrician Theodorus and his young follower Theaetetus. Their dialogue covers many questions, such as: is knowledge purely subjective, composed of the ever-changing flow of impressions we receive from the outside world? Is it better thought of as ‘true belief’? Or is it, as many modern philosophers argue, ‘justified true belief’, in which the belief is supported by argument or evidence? With skill and eloquence, Socrates guides the debate, drawing out the implications of these theories and subjecting them to merciless and mesmerising criticism. One of the founding works of epistemology, this profound discussion of the problem of knowledge continues to intrigue and inspire.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐The Theaetetus shows the Greek naissance in its full glory. Stammering and stuttering it winds its way around the first attempt to understand the human intellect. The dialogue is aporetic—no theory of knowledge is finally agreed upon—but it is fascinating to see Plato trying to give an account of knowledge all the while stumbling over nuances of the term and properties of the human mind that would only be discovered centuries later.The essay which accompanies the text is useful for understanding the dialogue but, at least for my taste, devotes too much time to debates within Platonic scholarship. After all, we do live in the twenty-first century with a still impartial but fuller understanding of the workings of the brain. Figuring out precisely what Plato was trying to say is only of historical interest.But, as an aid to understanding what makes the Greeks so foundational in the effort to rationally understand humanity, the Theaetetus is essential. Without Plato no Aristotle, without Aristotle no Thomas Aquinas and without Aquinas no Descartes, no Russell, no Whitehead, no Kahneman. As the first effort at giving a fully rational account of knowledge, the Theaetetus retains its place in the foundations of Western civilization.

⭐This is an excellent edition of the Theatetus, with a fine translation and a painstaking commentary/essay. The only drawback is the separation of the essay from the text, which either means having two copies (this is somewhat easier using the online Kindle version doubled up) or a lot of shifting back and forth. The commentary is particularly worthwhile when one hits the seriously slogging part towards the end.The Theatetus is notable as Plato’s attempt to separate out epistemological justification from ontology (in the earlier dialogues true knowledge is grasping the Forms, whereas here things are more complicated, probably due to the undermining of the Forms paradigm in the Parmenides, and after).

⭐It’s Plato after all!

⭐Plato’s Theatetus is considered the originary work of epistemological inquiry. Wittgenstein looked to this dialogue as a major source for epistemological problematics in his later philosophy, and it continues to be studied in the continental tradition as well. Socrates and Theatetus attempt to resolve the problem of defining knowledge-first by examining knowledge as a a mode of perception, then through in investigation of knowledge as correct judgment. Socrates and Theatetus give an account of the true role of ‘legein’ logos and speech in the final sections of the dialogue. Although nothing is resolved the basic problems of epistemology are formulated, and they remain alive to the present day.

⭐Written in the 4th century BC, “Theaetetus” is Plato’s enquiry into the nature of knowledge, and is considered as the start of a new branch in philosophy: epistemology. Although there are some memorable images presented in the story ranging from Socrates as a midwife, the absent-minded professor, the wax tablet and the aviary, I found this a rather technical, complicated and therefore difficult read. As a result, it left me at times as bewildered as Theaetetus himself.As in many other dialogues, the Sophists and Pre-Socratics are never far away in Plato. This time Socrates uses the ideas of Protagoras, Heraclitus and Parmenides to makes his points. As so often in the dialogues, it seems that Plato is the measure of all things by undermining other people’s claims, but providing no real alternative himself. He does have a good go at it though, paving the way for 2,500 years of epistomology.As always, Plato gives the reader a lot to do, and nowhere more so than in “Theaetetus”. However, I found Robin Waterfield’s essay on the dialogue helpful, although hard going at times. In addition, I liked the fact that the explanatory notes were at the bottom of each page, instead of normally at the end of the dialogues. Finally, listening to Peter Adamson’s podcast and reading his accompanying book,

⭐Classical Philosophy: A history of philosophy without any gaps, Volume 1

⭐made “Theaetetus” a bit more accessible, and made me appreciate why this dialogue is still being studied today.

⭐A great translation of one of Plato’s most complex books. This is never going to be the easiest of reads, but the translator makes a great attempt to make it accessible, and bar one or two areas which require really close attention this is a fairly straightforward read. He has an extensive essay at the end of the book, which is helpful, but not perfect.

⭐This is Theatetus. A must read for anyone interested in epistemology aka the study of knowledge. This book is in the public domain so there is no sense in reviewing the work as countless other people have done so before me. The translation itself is decent and the language and syntax contemporary which makes it very readable but not extraordinary.I mean its Theatetus … the reason I went with this book over the others is simply because I use Penguin Publishing for all my classics to make my shelf look nice and uniform.

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