On the good life : thinking through the intermediaries in Plato's Philebus / Cristina Ionescu.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Ionescu, Cristina, 1977- author.

Series:

SUNY series in Ancient Greek Philosophy

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Plato. Philebus.

Plato.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (218 pages)

Place of Publication:

Albany : State University of New York, [2019]

Summary:

Plato's Philebus continues to fascinate us with its reflections on what it means to live a good life by aiming at the right combination of pleasure and knowledge. In this book, Cristina Ionescu argues that mediation is a central theme in the dialogue. Whether we talk about mediating between distinct ontological levels, between steps of reasoning, between pleasure and knowledge, between distinct types of pleasure, or between concrete circumstances and ideals, the steps in between remain essential to a good life. Focusing on ethical, epistemological, and metaphysical aspects of the dialogue, Ionescu occasionally steps beyond the letter of the text, while remaining faithful to its spirit, as she tries to illuminate what is only hinted at.

Contents:

The unity of the Philebus: metaphysical assumptions of the good human life

The placement of pleasure and knowledge in the fourfold articulation of reality

Hybrid varieties of pleasure: true mixed pleasures and false pure pleasures

The nature of pleasure: absolute standards of filling or replenishment and due measure

Pleasures of learning and the role of due measure in experiencing them

Plato's conception of pleasure confronting three Aristotelian critiques

The Philebus' implicit response to the aporiai of participation from the Parmenides.

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9781438475080

143847508X