The almost 300 articles contain not only historical accounts but also some indication of the state of present day study in classical philosophy.

Plato's dialogues form the basis of Socratic Ethics and Moral Psychology. Among Plato's thirty-five dialogues there is a group of eleven or twelve that share certain features setting them apart from the rest. In these dialogues, which are considerably shorter than the others, Socrates always has the role of questioner. The questions he discusses are mostly about specific virtues and how they are related to each other: for example, piety is discussed in the Euthyphro, courage in the Laches, temperance in (...) the Charmides, and justice and temperance in the Gorgias. A major theme of Socratic dialogues is Socrates' opposition to the “sophists,” a varied lot with different interests and claims to fame who shared certain characteristics that justified their common designation. Socrates debates the issue, if virtue is an art or skill that involves knowing what is truly good and evil, the virtuous person should be able to “size up” a situation and determine, as to what sort of action is called for to resolve a particular situation. (shrink)

This study of Plato’s hypothetical method is a more than welcome addition to the literature on philosophical method in Plato’s middle dialogues. Benson’s study is remarkable for unusual care and thoroughness in the development of its arguments, and the fairness of its treatment of rival interpretations. One can safely predict that future work on the topic will have to come to grips with his arguments and original interpretations.Benson begins with a careful analysis of the brief descriptions of the method in (...) Meno and Phaedo, then examines its application there and in relevant Republic passages. Benson finds the method a way of conducting what he calls ‘de novo inquiry’ aimed at acquiring knowledge. In Meno the.. (shrink)

This chapter contains sections titled: Unity as Identity Problems with the Identity View Unity as Inseparability Problems with the Inseparability View Unity through Wisdom in the Laches Unity in the Protagoras and Laches Unity in the Republic and Later Dialogues.

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Socrates' Search for Definitions Plato's Theory of Forms: Epistemological Separation Plato's Theory of Forms: Ontological Separation The Parmenides: Plato's Second Thoughts about the Theory of Forms Late Developments in Plato's Metaphysics Acknowledgments Notes References and Recommended Reading.