Socratic rationalism and political philosophy : an interpretation of Plato's "Phaedo"

In this new interpretation of Plato's Phaedo, Paul Stern considers the dialogue as an invaluable source for understanding the distinctive character of Socratic rationalism. First, he demonstrates, contrary to the charge of such thinkers as Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Rorty, that Socrates' rationalism does not rest on the dogmatic presumption of the rationality of nature. Second, he shows that the distinctively Socratic mode of philosophizing is formulated precisely with a view to vindicating the philosophic life in the face of these uncertainties. And finally, he argues that this vindication results in a mode of inquiry that finds its ground in a clear understanding of the problematical but enduring human situation. Stern concludes that Socratic rationalism, aware as it is of the limits of reason, still provides a nondogmatic and nonarbitrary basis for human understanding. -- Back cover Socratic Rationalism and Political Philosophy 2 Contents 4 Acknowledgments 7 1 Introduction 9 The Issues of the Phaedo 9 Mode of Interpretation 13 2 The Defense of Socrates 16 Overview (57a1-70c3) 16 The Opening Scene 17 Socrates' Poetic Defense of Philosophy 24 Philosophy as Preparation for Death 37 3 The Proofs of Immortality 56 Overview (70c4-88b8) 56 Opposites 57 Recollection 68 Likeness 81 Objections 92 4 Socrates' 'Second Sailing' 97 Overview (88cl-102a9) 97 Misology 98 Socrates' Reply to Simmias: Soul as Harmonia 103 Socrates' Reply to Cebes: The Second Sailing 114 Socrates' Varying Views of Nature 114 The 'Second Sailing' 124 5 Socrates' Final Teaching 152 Overview (102a1O-118a17) 152 Immortality and Imperishability 154 The True Earth 169 The Death of Socrates 178 6 Conclusion 184 Notes 188 Chapter 1. Introduction 188 Chapter 2. The Defense of Socrates 191 Chapter 3. The Proofs of Immortality 200 Chapter 4. Socrates' 'Second Sailing' 208 Chapter 5. The End of Socrates 222 Chapter 6. Conclusion 230 Bibliography 231 Index 239 A 239 B 239 C 239 D 240 E 240 F 240 G 240 H 241 I 241 J 241 K 241 L 241 M 241 N 241 O 242 P 242 R 243 S 243 T 243 U 244 V 244 W 244 X 244 Z 244 In this new interpretation of Plato's Phaedo, Paul Stern considers the dialogue as an invaluable source for understanding the distinctive character of Socratic rationalism. First, he demonstrates, contrary to the charge of such thinkers as Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Rorty, that Socrates'rationalism does not rest on the dogmatic presumption of the rationality of nature. Second, he shows that the distinctively Socratic mode of philosophizing is formulated precisely with a view to vindicating the philosophic life in the face of these uncertainties. And finally, he argues that this vindication results in a mode of inquiry that finds its ground in a clear understanding of the problematical but enduring human situation. Stern concludes that Socratic rationalism, aware as it is of the limits of reason, still provides a nondogmatic and nonarbitrary basis for human understanding.Paul Stern is Assistant Professor of Politics at Ursinus College.