Spectacles of truth in classical Greek philosophy : theoria in its cultural context
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Bibliographic Information
Spectacles of truth in classical Greek philosophy : theoria in its cultural context
Cambridge University Press, 2004
Available at 9 libraries
Note
Includes bibliographical references (p. 269-299) and indexes
Description and Table of Contents
Description
In fourth-century Greece (BCE), the debate over the nature of philosophy generated a novel claim: that the highest form of wisdom is theoria, the rational 'vision' of metaphysical truths (the 'spectator theory of knowledge'). This 2004 book offers an original analysis of the construction of 'theoretical' philosophy in fourth-century Greece. In the effort to conceptualise and legitimise theoretical philosophy, the philosophers turned to a venerable cultural practice: theoria (state pilgrimage). In this practice, an individual journeyed abroad as an official witness of sacralized spectacles. This book examines the philosophic appropriation and transformation of theoria, and analyses the competing conceptions of theoretical wisdom in fourth-century philosophy. By tracing the link between traditional and philosophic theoria, this book locates the creation of theoretical philosophy in its historical context, analysing theoria as a cultural and an intellectual practice. It develops a new, interdisciplinary approach, drawing on philosophy, history and literary studies.
Table of Contents
- 1. Theoria as a cultural practice
- 2. Spectacles of truth: inventing philosophic theoria
- 3. The fable of philosophy in Plato's Republic
- 4. Theorizing the beautiful: from Plato to Philip of Opus
- 5. 'Useless' knowledge: Aristotle's rethinking of theoria
- Epilogue 'Broken knowledge'? theoria and wonder.
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