Abstract

Plato is the only major philosopher in the western tradition to present myths as an essential part of his philosophical writings. Nevertheless, scholars have seldom, if ever, reflected on the possibility that Plato understood the nature and purpose of myths differently than they are understood today. This has resulted either in scholars ignoring them, while concentrating on the "analytic" segments of the dialogues, or giving facile interpretations of them. Zaslavsky approaches the Platonic myths with the intent of determining, through a critical analysis of their content, what is their meaning and function as envisaged by Plato.