Knowledge and Politics in Plato's Theaetetus [Paperback]

In this book, Paul Stern provides a full-length treatment of the political character of Plato's Theaetetus.The Theaetetus is one of the most widely studied of any of the Platonic dialogues because its dominant theme concerns the significant philosophical question, what is knowledge? In this new interpretation of the Theaetetus, Paul Stern provides the first full-length treatment of its political character in its relationship to this dominant theme.The Theaetetus is one of the most widely studied of any of the Platonic dialogues because its dominant theme concerns the significant philosophical question, what is knowledge? In this new interpretation of the Theaetetus, Paul Stern provides the first full-length treatment of its political character in its relationship to this dominant theme.The Theaetetus is one of the most widely studied of any of the Platonic dialogues because its dominant theme concerns the significant philosophical question, what is knowledge? In this new interpretation of the Theaetetus, Paul Stern provides the first full-length treatment of its political character in relationship to this dominant theme. Stern argues that this approach sheds significant light on the distinctiveness of the Socratic way of life, with respect to both its initial justification and its ultimate character.1. Knowledge, politics, and midwifery; 2. The prologue; 3. Socratic midwifery; 4. The delivery; 5. The assessment - part 1; 6. The digression; 7. The assessment - part II; 8. False opinion; 9. True opinion and logos; 10. The wisdom of the midwife. ...the book offers a very interesting tour through the Theaetetus with many astute observations... . -BMCR