Why Plato Lost Interest in the Socratic Method

by Gareth B. Matthews, S. Marc Cohen (Editor)

Overview

The Socratic method of questioning and refutation (elenchus) predominates the early Platonic dialogues. But things change in the middle dialogues, as Socrates goes beyond merely asking questions and begins to provide answers to his questions. And the method virtually disappears in the late dialogues. The standard explanation of this phenomenon is that the early dialogues were intended to commemorate Socrates and the elenchus, while in the middle and late dialogues Plato went beyond Socrates to present his own mature philosophical thought. In this book, Matthews revises this explanation by uncovering the shortcomings that Plato came to find in the Socratic method and the reasons why Plato lost interest in it.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783031136894
Publisher:	Springer International Publishing
Publication date:	11/08/2022
Edition description:	1st ed. 2023
Pages:	119
Product dimensions:	5.83(w) x 8.27(h) x (d)

About the Author

Gareth B. Matthews was Professor of Philosophy at the University of Massachusetts, USA. He passed away in 2011.

S. Marc Cohen is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the University of Washington, USA.

Table of Contents

Editor’s Introduction
Preface
Chapter 1: The Socratic Method
Chapter 2: Analyzing Courage: Laches
Chapter 3: Analyzing Piety: Euthyphro
Chapter 4: Blameworthy Ignorance: Apology
Chapter 5: Virtue in Socratic Ignorance: Charmides
Chapter 6: Latent Knowledge: Meno
Chapter 7: Forms Left Unanalyzed: Phaedo
Chapter 8: Downgrading the Elenchus: Republic I-II
Chapter 9: Farewell to the Elenchus: Theaetetus
Chapter 10: Philosophy Professionalized: Sophist
Chapter 11: Conclusion
Bibliography