Plato's Natural Philosophy: A Study of the__Timaeus-Critias__

Plato's dialogue the Timaeus-Critias presents two connected accounts, that of the story of Atlantis and its defeat by ancient Athens and that of the creation of the cosmos by a divine craftsman. This book offers a unified reading of the dialogue. It tackles a wide range of interpretative and philosophical issues. Topics discussed include the function of the famous Atlantis story, the notion of cosmology as 'myth' and as 'likely', and the role of God in Platonic cosmology. Other areas commented upon are Plato's concepts of 'necessity' and 'teleology', the nature of the 'receptacle', the relationship between the soul and the body, the use of perception in cosmology, and the work's peculiar monologue form. The unifying theme is teleology: Plato's attempt to show the cosmos to be organised for the good. A central lesson which emerges is that the Timaeus is closer to Aristotle's physics than previously thought. Plato's Dialogue The Timaeus-critias Presents Two Connected Accounts, That Of Atlantis And Its Defeat By Ancient Athens And That Of The Creation Of The Cosmos By A Divine Craftsman. This Book Offers A Unified Reading Of The Dialogue. It Tackles A Wide Range Of Interpretive And Philsophical Issues. Topics Discussed Include The Function Of The Famous Atlantis Story, The Notion Of Cosmology As 'myth' And As 'likely', And The Role Of God In Platonic Cosmology. Other Areas Commented Upon Are Plato's Concepts Of 'necessity' And 'teleology', The Nature Of The 'receptacle', The Relationship Between The Soul And The Body, The Use Of Perception In Cosmology, And The Dialogue's Peculiar Monologue Form. The Unifying Theme Is Teleology: Plato's Attempt To Show The Cosmos To Be Organised For The Good. A Central Lesson Which Emerges Is That The Timaeus Is Far Closer To Aristotle's Physics Than Previously Thought.--book Jacket. Introduction : Plato's Tales Of Teleology -- What Is The Timaeus-critias About? -- The Status Of The Atlantis Story -- The Status Of Timaeus' Account -- Teleology And Craftsmanship -- Necessity And Teleology -- Space And Motion -- Body, Soul, And Tripartition -- Perception And Cosmology -- Dialogue And Dialectic. Thomas Kjeller Johansen. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 201-206) And Indexes.

The Timaeus-Critias is concerned with cosmology and Plato's claim that its central task is to articulate the way in which the cosmos manifests the values of goodness and beauty. This book examines this important dialogue in its entirety using current methods of Platonic scholarship. Arguing that Aristotle's physics is far closer to the Timaeus than usually realized, the study's other prominent findings reinforce the dialogue's essentially moral message, and clarify its literary character.

The ancient covenant is in pieces; man knows at last that he is alone in the universe's unfeeling immensity, out of which he emerged only by chance.