Searching for the Divine in Plato and Aristotle: Philosophical Theoria and Traditional PracticeTo scholars of ancient philosophy, theoria denotes abstract thinking, with both Plato and Aristotle employing the term to signify philosophical contemplation. Yet it is surprising for some to find an earlier, traditional meaning referring to travel to festivals and shrines. In an attempt to dissolve the problem of equivocal reference, Julie Ward's book seeks to illuminate the nature of traditional theoria as ancient festival-attendance as well as the philosophical account developed in Plato and Aristotle. First, she examines the traditional use referring to periodic festivals, including their complex social and political arrangements, then she considers the subsequent use by Plato and Aristotle. Broadly speaking, she discerns a common thread running throughout both uses: namely, the notion of having a visual experience of the sacred or divine. Thus her book aims to illuminate the nature of philosophical theoria described by Plato and Aristotle in light of traditional, festival theoria. |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
Traditional Theoria | 12 |
Literary and Philosophical Texts on Theoria | 28 |
Platos Contribution to Theoria | 50 |
Aristotles Refinement of Theoria | 86 |
Theoria and Its Objects | 118 |
The Value of Theoria | 154 |
Concluding Remarks | 184 |
202 | |
Other editions - View all
Searching for the Divine in Plato and Aristotle: Philosophical Theoria and ... Julie K. Ward No preview available - 2023 |
Common terms and phrases
according activity analogy appears apprehension argument Aristotle Aristotle’s ascent aspect attending beauty begin central chapter circular claim complete comprises concerning conclusion connection consider consists contemplation continuous described dialogues discussion distinction divine effect element employs engage epistemic equal evidence example experience fact faculty festival festival-attendance follows gods Greek highest human idea images implies intellectual intelligible involves kind knowledge laws lead looking meaning mentioned moral motion namely nature noted objects objects of theoria observing passage perception philosophical theoria Plato pleasure political practical present provides reason recollection reference reflect regard relation religious Republic requires ring role runs Rutherford sake sanctuary seems sense sights significant similar Socrates soul specific structure suggest taking texts theaomai theoretical theoros things thinking traditional theoria traveling turning verbs virtue visual καὶ