Myth and Philosophy from the Presocratics to Plato

by Kathryn A. Morgan

Overview

This book explores the complex relationship between myth and philosophy in writings by Greek intellectuals between the late-sixth and mid-fourth centuries BC. Although philosophy may seem far removed from mythological stories, closer examination reveals that Plato and others realized that philosophic accounts too were "stories" about reality. Kathryn Morgan shows how these philosophers used myth to express philosophic problems. Her book traces a tradition of strictly rational and philosophical myth through two centuries.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521033282
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	01/18/2007
Pages:	324
Product dimensions:	5.94(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.75(d)
Lexile:	1340L (what's this?)

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements; 1. Introduction; 2. Theoretical issues; 3. Some Presocratics; 4. The sophists and their contemporaries; 5. The Protagoras: Platonic myth in the making; 6. The range of Platonic myth; 7. Plato: myth and the soul; 8. Plato: myth and theory; 9. Conclusion; Bibliography; Index of passages cited; General index.

Editorial Reviews

"This is an important book that takes on the ambitious project of offering a new way to think about the myths incorporated into Greek philosophical writings." Phoenix

"Morgan's work is valuable for the study of both myth and philosophy, a work of which anyone with an interest in these discourses should take note." Bryn Mawr Classical Review

From the Publisher