Parmenides, Plato and Mortal Philosophy Return From Transcendence [Paperback]

In a new interpretation of Parmenides' philosophical poem On Nature, Vishwa Adluri considers Parmenides as a thinker of mortal singularity, a thinker who is concerned with the fate of irreducibly unique individuals.

Adluri argues that the tripartite division of Parmenides' poem allows the thinker to brilliantly hold together the paradox of speaking about being in time and articulates a tragic knowing: mortals may aspire to the transcendence of metaphysics, but are inescapably returned to their mortal condition. Hence, Parmenides' poem articulates a tragic return , i.e., a turn away from metaphysics to the community of mortals. In this interpretation, Parmenides' philosophy resonates with post-metaphysical and contemporary thought. The themes of human finitude, mortality, love, and singularity echo in thinkers such as Arendt, and Sch?rmann as well.

Plato, Parmenides and Mortal Philosophyalso includes a complete new translation of 'On Nature' and a substantial overview and bibliography of contemporary scholarship on Parmenides.

Foreword \ Introduction: Parmenides and Renewing the Beginning \ Part I: Beginnings - Arkhai \ 1. Radical Individuality: Time, Mortal Soul and Journey \2. Parmenides and his Importance as a Beginner \ Part II: Parmenides \ 3. The Mortal Journey: Thumos (The Mortal Soul) and Its Limits \ 4. In the Realm of the Goddess: Logos and its Limits \ 5. At Home in the Kosmos: The Return \ Part III: Plato the Pre-Socratic \ 6. Reading Plato's Phaedrus: Socrates the Mortal \ Part IV: Forewording \ 7. Conclusion - Returning to Parmenides \ Part V: Translation of Parmenides' Peri Phuseos with Textual Notes \ Bibliography \ Index.

Explores Parmenides philosophy and its influence and importance to Plato and other later thinkers, through philosophical and literary analysis.

Vishwa Adluri is Adjunct Assistant Professor in Religion and Philosophy at Hunter College, City University of New York, USA, where he spelc…