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How Does Plato’s Exercise Work?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 November 2014

CONSTANCE MEINWALD*
Affiliation:
University of Illinois at Chicago

Abstract

I analyse the pros ta alla/pros heauto distinction in Plato’s Parmenides as a contrast between ordinary predication (corresponding to an individual’s display of a feature or, more technically, instantiation) and tree predication (based on a nature X being involved in a nature Y). I engage with my critics and argue that this interpretation vindicates Plato’s methodological remarks and maximizes his argumentative success. My interpretation shows how the Parmenides bridges the gap between Plato’s Middle Dialogues and the outstanding technical developments of the Late Dialogues.

Dans cet article, la paire pros ta alla/pros heauto dans le Parménide de Platon est analysée dans les termes d’une distinction entre la prédication ordinaire (où un individu présente une qualité) et la prédication en arborescence (fondée sur la relation qui s’établit entre un X et un Y lorsque la nature X fait partie de la nature Y). J’engage une discussion avec mes critiques en soutenant que cette interprétation donne tout leur sens aux remarques méthodologiques de Platon, tout en rendant son argumentation plus efficace. Le Parménide fait le pont entre les dialogues de maturité et les développements techniques des derniers dialogues de Platon.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Philosophical Association 2014 

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