Plato On Knowledge In The Theaetetus
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Plato on Knowledge in the Theaetetus
First published Sat May 7, 2005
This article introduces Plato's dialogue the Theaetetus (section 1), and briefly summarises its plot (section 2). Two leading interpretations of the dialogue, the Unitarian and Revisionist readings, are contrasted in section 3. Sections 4 through 8 explain and discuss the main arguments of the chief divisions of the dialogue. Section 9 provides some afterthoughts about the dialogue as a whole.
1. Introduction
2. Summary of the Dialogue
3. Overall Interpretations of the Theaetetus
4. The Introduction to the Dialogue: 142a-145e
5. (D0) Definition by Examples: 146a-151d
6. First Definition (D1): “Knowledge is Perception”: 151d-187a
6.1 The Definition of Knowledge as Perception: 151d-e
6.2 The “Cold Wind” Argument; and the Theory of Flux: 152a-160e
6.3 The Refutation of the Thesis that Knowledge is Perception: 160e-187b
6.4 The Digression: 172c-177b
6.5 Last Objection to Protagoras: 177b-179b
6.6 Last Objection to Heracleitus: 179c-183c
6.7 The final Refutation of D1: 183c-187a
7. Second Definition (D2): “Knowledge is True Judgement”: 187b-201c
7.1 The Puzzle of Misidentification: 187e-188c
7.2 Second Puzzle About False Belief: “Believing What is Not”: 188c-189b
7.3 Third Puzzle About False Belief: Allodoxia: 189b-190e
7.4 Fourth Puzzle About False Belief: the Wax Tablet: 190e-196c
7.5 Fifth Puzzle About False Belief: the Aviary: 196c-200d
7.6 The Final Refutation of D2: 200d-201c
8. Third Definition (D3):...
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