Refutation and Relativism in Theaetetus 161-171
Phronesis 49 (1):24-40 (2004)
| Abstract | In this paper I discuss the dialogues between 'Protagoras', Theodorus and Socrates in "Theaetetus" 161-171 and emphasise the importance for this passage of a dilemma which refutation is shown to pose for relativism at 161e-162a. I argue that the two speeches delivered on Protagoras' behalf contain material that is deeply Socratic and suggest that this feature of the speeches should be interpreted as part of Plato's philosophical case against relativism, reflecting the relativist's own inability to defend his theory from attempts to refute it. I then discuss Theodorus' role in the refutation of Protagoras and argue that his voice is needed to get relativism disproved in the self-refutation argument of 171a-c. I conclude with a brief discussion of the image of Protagoras at 171d | |||||||||
| Keywords | No keywords specified (fix it) | |||||||||
| Categories | ||||||||||
| Options |
|
|||||||||
Download options| PhilPapers Archive |
Upload a copy of this paper Check publisher's policy on self-archival Papers currently archived: 5,701 |
| External links |
  Try with proxy. |
| Through your library | Configure |
Similar books and articlesA. Long (2004). Refutation and Relativism in Theaetetus 161-171. Phronesis 49 (1):24-40.
M. F. Burnyeat (1976). Protagoras and Self-Refutation in Plato's Theaetetus. Philosophical Review 85 (2):172-195.
Marina Berzins McCoy (2005). Reason and Dialectic in the Argument Against Protagoras in the Theaetetus. International Philosophical Quarterly 45 (1):21-39.
Robert Lockie (2003). Relativism and Reflexivity. International Journal of Philosophical Studies 11 (3):319 – 339.
Mohan Matthen (1985). Perception, Relativism, and Truth: Reflections on Plato's Theaetetus 152–160. Dialogue 24 (01):33-.
Avi I. Mintz (2011). Four Educators in Plato's Theaetetus. Journal of Philosophy of Education 45 (4):657-673.
Mi-Kyoung Lee (2005). Epistemology After Protagoras: Responses to Relativism in Plato, Aristotle, and Democritus. Oxford University Press.
Jack W. Meiland (1979). Is Protagorean Relativism Self-Refuting? Grazer Philosophische Studien 9:51-68.
Gail Fine (1998). Plato's Refutation of Protagoras in the Theaetetus. Apeiron 31:201-34.
Luca Castagnoli (2004). Protagoras Refuted: How Clever is Socrates' "Most Clever" Argument at Theaetetus 171a–C?'. Topoi 23 (1):3-32.
Gail Fine (1998). Relativism and Self-Refutation: Plato, Protagoras, and Burnyeat. In J. Gentzler (ed.), Method in Ancient Greek Philosophy. The Clarendon Press.
Mehmet M. Erginel (2009). Relativism and Self-Refutation in the 'Theaetetus'. Oxford Studies in Ancient Philosophy 37:1-45.
Steven D. Hales (1997). A Consistent Relativism. Mind 106 (421):33-52.
Sarah Waterlow (1977). Protagoras and Inconsistency: Theaetetus 171 A6—C7. Archiv für Geschichte der Philosophie 59 (1).
Analytics
Monthly downloads |
Added to index2010-08-31Total downloads4 ( #178,748 of 549,122 )Recent downloads (6 months)2 ( #37,390 of 549,122 )How can I increase my downloads? |
My notes
Discussion
