The Dialectic of Essence: A Study of Plato's Metaphysics

Allan Silverman

Published by Princeton University Press 2003

The Dialectic of Essence

A Study of Plato's Metaphysics

Allan Silverman

https://doi.org/10.1515/9781400825349

Overview
Contents

About this book

The Dialectic of Essence offers a systematic new account of Plato's metaphysics. Allan Silverman argues that the best way to make sense of the metaphysics as a whole is to examine carefully what Plato says about ousia (essence) from the Meno through the middle period dialogues, the Phaedo and the Republic, and into several late dialogues including the Parmenides, the Sophist, the Philebus, and the Timaeus. This book focuses on three fundamental facets of the metaphysics: the theory of Forms; the nature of particulars; and Plato's understanding of the nature of metaphysical inquiry.

Silverman seeks to show how Plato conceives of "Being" as a unique way in which an essence is related to a Form. Conversely, partaking ("having") is the way in which a material particular is related to its properties: Particulars, thus, in an important sense lack essence. Additionally, the author closely analyzes Plato's idea that the relation between Forms and particulars is mediated by form-copies. Even when some late dialogues provide a richer account of particulars, Silverman maintains that particulars are still denied essence. Indeed, with the Timaeus's introduction of the receptacle, there are no particulars of the traditional variety. This book cogently demonstrates that when we understand that Plato's concern with essence lies at the root of his metaphysics, we are better equipped to find our way through the labyrinth of his dialogues and to better appreciate how they form a coherent theory.

Author / Editor information

Allan Silverman is Professor of Philosophy at The Ohio State University.

Reviews

"This is a very good book. It is provocative and controversial, but it advances our understanding of Plato's metaphysics. Silverman tells a complicated story well. The book is clear, and provides both overviews and summaries that help a reader work through the intricate arguments. One of its real strengths is in treating Plato as a working philosopher who has important and interesting things to say about metaphysics. The reader is deeply engaged as a philosophical comrade-in-arms working through tough problems along with Silverman, and Plato."—Patricia Curd, Purdue University

A significant, substantial and original addition to Platonic scholarship. . . . [It] provides a coherent and approachable explanation of the development of Plato's metaphysical system.---S.A. Burgess, Bryn Mawr Classical Review

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	v
Preface Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	ix
Abbreviations Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	xi
Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
Chapter one. An overview of platonic metaphysics Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	13
Chapter two. Socratic metaphysics? Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	28
Chapter three. The emergence of forms Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	49
Chapter four. Refining the theory of forms Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	104
Chapter five. Forms and language Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	137
Chapter six. Not-beings Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	182
Chapter seven. The nature of material particulars Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	218
Conclusion Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	285
Appendix Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	299
Notes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	311
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	367
Index Locorum Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	379
General Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	387

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