ENGLISH

Dialogue and Discovery

By Kenneth Seeskin

Book information

Publisher
State University of New York Press
Year
1987
ISBN
0887063365, 9780887063367, 9780585055305
LCC
B318.M48 S43 1987
Language
english
Format
EPUB
Filesize
361 kB (370015 bytes)
Series
SUNY Series in Philosophy
Pages
0\0
Time added
2011-08-31 04:54:40

Description

This book examines the Socratic method of elenchus or refutation. Refutation by its very nature is a conflict which in the hands of Plato becomes high drama. The continuing conversation in which it occurs is more a test of character than of intellect. Dialogue and Discovery shows that, in his conversations, Socrates seeks to define moral qualities--moral essences--with the goal of improving the soul of the respondent. Ethics underlies epistemology because the discovery of philosophic truth imposes moral demands on the respondent. The recognition that moral qualities such as honesty, humility, and courage are necessary to successful inquiry is the key to the understanding of the Socratic paradox that virtue is knowledge. The dialogues receiving the most emphasis are the Apology, Gorgias, Protagoras, and Meno.

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