The Anonymous’ Commentary on Plato’s Theatetus and a Middle-Platonic Theory of Knowledge
Keywords:
Eclecticism, Epistemology, Middle-Platonism, Anonymous in TheatetumAbstract
In this paper, I defend that the historiographical category of eclecticism is a correct way to describe the epistemology and the exegetical activity of the Anonymous commentator on Plato’s Theaetetus. In addition, I show that the interpretation of the platonic philosophy presented in this text not only presupposes an eclectic philosophical attitude, but also offers a conscious defense of a positive and philosophically relevant form of eclecticism. By eclecticism, I understand a method of inquiry based on the deliberate use of hypotheses and arguments from different philosophical traditions. My claim is that Anon. intends to lay ground of his way of doing philosophy by attributing it to Plato and the platonic tradition. In doing so, Anon. provides us with a positive understanding of eclecticism as a legitimate methodology of philosophical investigation.
Downloads
References
BONAZZI, M. (2008). The Commentary as Polemical Tool: The Anonymous Commentator on the Theaetetus against the Stoics. Laval théologique et philosophique 64, p. 597-605.
BOYS-STONES, G. R. (2018). Platonist Philosophy 80 BC to AD 250: An Introduction and Collection of Sources in Translation. Cambridge source books in post-Hellenistic philosophy. Cambridge, New York: Cambridge University Press.
BRISSON, L.; PRADEAU, J.-F. (2002). Plotin. Ennéades. Vol. 1: Traités 1-6. Traductions et introductions de L. Brisson, F. Fronterotta, J. Laurent, L. Lavaud, A. Petit et J.-F. Pradeau. Paris, Garnier Flammarion.
DIELS, H.; SCHUBART, W. (eds.) (1905). Anonymer Kommentar zu Platos Theaetet (Papyrus 9728). Berliner Klassikertexte. Berlin, Generalverwaltung der Königlichen Museen zu Berlin.
DILLON, J. (1996). The Middle Platonists 80 B.C. to A.D. 220. London, Duckworth.
DILLON, J.; LONG, A. A. (eds.) (1988). The Question of ‘Eclecticism’: Studies in Later Greek Philosophy. Berkeley/London, University of California Press.
DONINI, P. (1988). The History of the Concept of Eclecticism. In: DILLON, J.; LONG, A. A. (eds.). The Question of ‘Eclecticism’: Studies in Later Greek Philosophy. Berkeley/London, University of California Press, p. 15-33.
GOTTSCHALK, H. B. (1987). Aristotelian Philosophy in the Roman World From the Time of Cicero to the End of the Second Century AD. In: HAASE, W. (ed.). Philosophie, Wissenschaften, Technik. Philosophie. Vol. 36. Berlin, De Gruyter, p. 1079-1175.
LEVY, C. (1990). Platon, Arcesilas, Carneade. Reponse à J. Annas. Revue de Metaphysique et de Morale 95, p. 293-306.
LEVY, C. (1993). La Nouvelle Académie a-t-elle été antiplatonicienne ? In: DIXSAUT, M. (org.). Contre Platon. Vol. 1 : Le platonisme devoile. Paris, Vrin, p. 139-156.
LONG, A. A.; SEDLEY, D. (1987). The Hellenistic Philosophers. Vol. 1. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
OPSOMER, J. (1998). In Search of the Truth: Academic Tendencies in Middle Platonism. Brussels, Paleis der Academiën.
SEDLEY, D. (1985). The Stoic Theory of Universals. The Southern Journal of Philosophy 23 (Supplement), p. 87-92.
SEDLEY, D. (1989). Philosophical Allegiance in the Greco-Roman World. In: GRIFFIN, M.; BARNES, J. (eds.). Philosophica Togata. Vol. 1. Oxford, Oxford University Press, p. 97-119.
SEDLEY, D. (1993). Plato, Theaetetus 145-147. Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society 67, p. 125-149.
SEDLEY, D. (1996). Three Platonist Interpretations of the Theaetetus. In: GILL, G.; MCCABE, M. M. (eds.). Form and Argument in Late Plato. Oxford, Oxford University Press, p. 79-103.
SEDLEY, D. (1997). A New Reading in the Anonymous “Theaetetus” Commentary (PBerol. 9782 Fragment D). Papiri Filosofici: Miscellanea di Studi 1, p. 139-144.
TARRANT, H. (1983). The Date of Anon. In Theaetetum. Classical Quarterly 33, p. 161-187.
TARRANT, H. (1985). Scepticism or Platonism? The Philosophy of the Fourth Academy. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
ZELLER, E. (1892). Die Philosophie der Griechen in ihrer geschichtlichen Entwicklung. 5ed. 4 vols. Leipzig, O. R. Reisland.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Given the public access policy of the journal, the use of the published texts is free, with the obligation of recognizing the original authorship and the first publication in this journal. The authors of the published contributions are entirely and exclusively responsible for their contents.
1. The authors authorize the publication of the article in this journal.
2. The authors guarantee that the contribution is original, and take full responsibility for its content in case of impugnation by third parties.
3. The authors guarantee that the contribution is not under evaluation in another journal.
4. The authors keep the copyright and convey to the journal the right of first publication, the work being licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License-BY.
5. The authors are allowed and stimulated to publicize and distribute their work on-line after the publication in the journal.
6. The authors of the approved works authorize the journal to distribute their content, after publication, for reproduction in content indexes, virtual libraries and similars.
7. The editors reserve the right to make adjustments to the text and to adequate the article to the editorial rules of the journal.