Comments on: How to Read Plato http://mentalpolyphonics.com/posts/how-to-read-plato Committees exist to share blame. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:15:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: tara http://mentalpolyphonics.com/posts/how-to-read-plato/comment-page-1#comment-48163 tara Thu, 20 Mar 2008 08:52:27 +0000 http://mentalpolyphonics.com/?p=861#comment-48163 I'm not "questioning" your understanding of modernity and postmodernity... Just drawing attention to the fact that it is difficult to use either term without ambiguity. I’m not “questioning” your understanding of modernity and postmodernity… Just drawing attention to the fact that it is difficult to use either term without ambiguity.

]]> By: Jack http://mentalpolyphonics.com/posts/how-to-read-plato/comment-page-1#comment-48154 Jack Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:20:24 +0000 http://mentalpolyphonics.com/?p=861#comment-48154 Rhetoric is more important than logic, especially in a post-modern society. Rhetoric is more important than logic, especially in a post-modern society.

]]> By: Jared http://mentalpolyphonics.com/posts/how-to-read-plato/comment-page-1#comment-48151 Jared Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:56:22 +0000 http://mentalpolyphonics.com/?p=861#comment-48151 I think Simon took a course on the Sophists, so hopefully he'll weigh in here, but my impression is that Plato is prejudiced against them. Their "deceit" was similar to how lawyers argue jury cases today. Of course the fact that rhetoric can be used to push a point of view rather than reveal <strong>The Truth</strong> brings the validity of the Socratic Method into question, so it makes sense that Plato would be against it. And are you questioning my impeccable understanding of modernity and postmodernity with your scare quotes? How dare you! :D I think Simon took a course on the Sophists, so hopefully he’ll weigh in here, but my impression is that Plato is prejudiced against them. Their “deceit” was similar to how lawyers argue jury cases today. Of course the fact that rhetoric can be used to push a point of view rather than reveal The Truth brings the validity of the Socratic Method into question, so it makes sense that Plato would be against it.

And are you questioning my impeccable understanding of modernity and postmodernity with your scare quotes? How dare you! :D

]]> By: tara http://mentalpolyphonics.com/posts/how-to-read-plato/comment-page-1#comment-48146 tara Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:52:10 +0000 http://mentalpolyphonics.com/?p=861#comment-48146 One thing I would add that acknowledges both of what you call "modern" and "post-modern" readings of Plato. Much of his writing is a reaction to the Sophists, a school of philosophers, educators, politicians, what-have-you, who used rhetoric as a tool to convince the people of all kinds of suspect arguments. Plato's distrust of poetry comes from his seeing others use words to deceive the masses. This applies still today of course. There is historical continuity. One thing I would add that acknowledges both of what you call “modern” and “post-modern” readings of Plato. Much of his writing is a reaction to the Sophists, a school of philosophers, educators, politicians, what-have-you, who used rhetoric as a tool to convince the people of all kinds of suspect arguments. Plato’s distrust of poetry comes from his seeing others use words to deceive the masses. This applies still today of course. There is historical continuity.

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