| Description |
xxii, 272 pages ; 19 cm |
| Contents |
1. The difficulty of defining philosophy. The historical approach: Windelband's four types. (1) Platonism not natural philosophy: ambiguities in the notions of substance - and of causality. Natural philosophy disparages soul - does not do justice to man's moral consciousness - is a danger to religion. Its condemnation does not include condemnation of science.--2. (2) Platonism not a philosophy of the summum bonum: Plato's ethical interests The highest principle of his philosophy, the idea of good. But his good not an immanent quality; neither knowledge, not pleasure, not virtue; but stricty transcendent.--3. (3) Platonism not comparable to a medieval summa: Plato's personal attachment to religion. His agnosticism. His theology without revelation. Deficiences of Greek religion as a whole.--4. (4) Platonism not an early anticipation of Kantian epistemological criticism: On epistemology in general. Kant's particular contribution to it. Shortcomings of his method. The Neo-Kantian amendment. "Criticism not enough".--5. The main features and implications of the Platonic attitude towards life: Platonism, not a body of results, but a mode of life; an implacable crusade against ignorance. What ignorance means. By what means ignorance can be prevented. Wisdom versus mere knowledge. Consummate wisdom not obtainable in this life, but not necessary either. The four hallmarks of Platonism.--6. Platonism and public life: the difficulty of vindicating the philosophical ideal in organized society. The indictment of the philosopher by the world. A reply to this indictment. Why a compromise between philosophy and secular aspiration is impossible.--7. Some psychological characteristics of the Platonic philosopher: his freedom from care for pleasure, and from ambition. The real hardships of his vocation. His serenity, leisureliness, and tolerance. How he can hope to propagate his message |
| Notes |
Reprint of the 1937 ed. published by Macmillan, London |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references |
| Subject |
Plato.
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| Author |
Taylor, A. E. (Alfred Edward), 1869-1945.
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