Plato Seeking for “One Real Explanation” in Phaedo
What this essay is to discuss is Plato''s theory of explanation in Phaedo. In this dialogue, we observe that Socrates criticizes both the natural scientists’ explanations and Anaxagoras’ theory of Mind since he thinks they could not explain all things, firstly, in a unitary and, secondary,...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
University of Tabriz, Faculty of Literature and Forigen Languages
2018-09-01
|
| Series: | Journal of Philosophical Investigations |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://philosophy.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_7998_198084dc1b63f697810eee51eceaa63d.pdf |
| _version_ | 1827837065873588224 |
|---|---|
| author | محمد باقر قمی مهدی قوام صفری |
| author_facet | محمد باقر قمی مهدی قوام صفری |
| author_sort | محمد باقر قمی |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | What this essay is to discuss is Plato''s theory of explanation in Phaedo. In this dialogue, we observe that Socrates criticizes both the natural scientists’ explanations and Anaxagoras’ theory of Mind since he thinks they could not explain all things, firstly, in a unitary and, secondary, in a real way. Thence, we are to call what Plato is seeking as his ideal explanation in Phaedo “One Real Explanation”. He talks at least about three kinds of explanation, two of which, the confused and foolish way of explanation by Forms and the explanation by Forms appealing to essence, are just "second best" and lower degrees of explanation. His ideal explanation is an explanation that can explain all things by one thing and in a real way. Though he cannot show, at least in Phaedo, how this One Real Explanation can work, we can see Plato completing his plan by the Form of the Good in Republic. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T06:36:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0a847141ac0d4228896815e41b9e5aa3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2251-7960 2423-4419 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T06:36:42Z |
| publishDate | 2018-09-01 |
| publisher | University of Tabriz, Faculty of Literature and Forigen Languages |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Philosophical Investigations |
| spelling | doaj.art-0a847141ac0d4228896815e41b9e5aa32023-09-03T01:15:12ZengUniversity of Tabriz, Faculty of Literature and Forigen LanguagesJournal of Philosophical Investigations2251-79602423-44192018-09-0112242192407998Plato Seeking for “One Real Explanation” in Phaedoمحمد باقر قمی0مهدی قوام صفری1دانشجودانشیار دانشگاه تهرانWhat this essay is to discuss is Plato''s theory of explanation in Phaedo. In this dialogue, we observe that Socrates criticizes both the natural scientists’ explanations and Anaxagoras’ theory of Mind since he thinks they could not explain all things, firstly, in a unitary and, secondary, in a real way. Thence, we are to call what Plato is seeking as his ideal explanation in Phaedo “One Real Explanation”. He talks at least about three kinds of explanation, two of which, the confused and foolish way of explanation by Forms and the explanation by Forms appealing to essence, are just "second best" and lower degrees of explanation. His ideal explanation is an explanation that can explain all things by one thing and in a real way. Though he cannot show, at least in Phaedo, how this One Real Explanation can work, we can see Plato completing his plan by the Form of the Good in Republic.http://philosophy.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_7998_198084dc1b63f697810eee51eceaa63d.pdfPlatoexplanationcausegoodForm |
| spellingShingle | محمد باقر قمی مهدی قوام صفری Plato Seeking for “One Real Explanation” in Phaedo Journal of Philosophical Investigations Plato explanation cause good Form |
| title | Plato Seeking for “One Real Explanation” in Phaedo |
| title_full | Plato Seeking for “One Real Explanation” in Phaedo |
| title_fullStr | Plato Seeking for “One Real Explanation” in Phaedo |
| title_full_unstemmed | Plato Seeking for “One Real Explanation” in Phaedo |
| title_short | Plato Seeking for “One Real Explanation” in Phaedo |
| title_sort | plato seeking for one real explanation in phaedo |
| topic | Plato explanation cause good Form |
| url | http://philosophy.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_7998_198084dc1b63f697810eee51eceaa63d.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mḥmdbạqrqmy platoseekingforonerealexplanationinphaedo AT mhdyqwạmṣfry platoseekingforonerealexplanationinphaedo |