Dialectic of Essence
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A01=Allan Silverman
Alexander Nehamas
Analogy
Aristotle
Author_Allan Silverman
Axiom
Calvin Normore
Category=QDHA
Category=QDTJ
Concept
Counterexample
Critique
Definition
Demiurge
Dialectic
Dialectician
Donald Davidson (philosopher)
Epistemology
eq_isMigrated=1
eq_isMigrated=2
eq_nobargain
Essence
Ethics
Existence
Explanation
False statement
Four causes
Gail Fine
George Pappas
Gregory Vlastos
Hypothesis
Identity (philosophy)
Individuation
Inference
Inquiry
Instance (computer science)
Jonathan Lear
Logos
M. M. McCabe
Malcolm Schofield
Metaphor
Monism
Mutatis mutandis
Natural kind
Ontology
Ousia
Parmenides
Phaedo
Phenomenon
Philebus
Philosopher
Philosophy
Piety
Platonism
Potentiality and actuality
Premise
Princeton University Press
Principle
Quantity
Rationality
Reason
Referent
Requirement
Sally Haslanger
Seminar
Simon Blackburn
Socratic
Sophist
Suggestion
Teleology
The Philosopher
Theaetetus (dialogue)
Theory
Theory of Forms
Thought
Timaeus (dialogue)
Understanding
Product details
- ISBN 9780691091792
- Weight: 595g
- Dimensions: 152 x 235mm
- Publication Date: 08 Dec 2002
- Publisher: Princeton University Press
- Publication City/Country: US
- Product Form: Paperback
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The Dialectic of Essence offers a systematic new account of Plato's metaphysics. Allan Silverman argues that the best way to make sense of the metaphysics as a whole is to examine carefully what Plato says about ousia (essence) from the Meno through the middle period dialogues, the Phaedo and the Republic, and into several late dialogues including the Parmenides, the Sophist, the Philebus, and the Timaeus. This book focuses on three fundamental facets of the metaphysics: the theory of Forms; the nature of particulars; and Plato's understanding of the nature of metaphysical inquiry. Silverman seeks to show how Plato conceives of "Being" as a unique way in which an essence is related to a Form. Conversely, partaking ("having") is the way in which a material particular is related to its properties: Particulars, thus, in an important sense lack essence. Additionally, the author closely analyzes Plato's idea that the relation between Forms and particulars is mediated by form-copies. Even when some late dialogues provide a richer account of particulars, Silverman maintains that particulars are still denied essence.
Indeed, with the Timaeus's introduction of the receptacle, there are no particulars of the traditional variety. This book cogently demonstrates that when we understand that Plato's concern with essence lies at the root of his metaphysics, we are better equipped to find our way through the labyrinth of his dialogues and to better appreciate how they form a coherent theory.
Allan Silverman is Professor of Philosophy at The Ohio State University.
