(Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú. Departamento de Humanidades, 2022-03-28) Soares, Lucas
In this paper, I argue that in the Republic the possibility of a good koinōnia is hindered by the emotional potency and psychological perversion of mimetic-pleasurable poetry, which stimulates and strengthens the irrational part of the soul of its recipients through the imitation of characters linked to desire and anger. To this end, I examine, first, some of the passages in Republic IV in which it is possible to subscribe to the priority of the psychic tripartition over the political tripartition. Secondly, I point out some of the central features of the psychological critique of mimetic-pleasurable poetry in Republic X.
(Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú. Departamento de Humanidades, 2022-03-28) García, Gabriel
The view of the τόπος ὑπερουράνιος in the Phaedrus is described according to three contents: justice (δικαιοσύνη), soundness (σωφροσύνη) and science (ἐπιστήμη). Only the latter is specified (247d6-e2). In „‘Der Geistcharakter des Überhimmlischen Raumes‘. Zur Korrektur der herrschenden Auffassung von Phaidros 247c-e”, W. Schwabe argued that this passage necessarily distinguishes the science “in what is” from the science “in what we now call beings”, and that the latter refers to science as a human practice of acquiring and transmitting knowledge. After reviewing his main arguments, I will examine this distinction in the whole dialogue, especially regarding the science “in what we now call beings”, in two moments: 1) the accurate description of the vision of science as memory, μνήμη, when the soul returns to the sensible realm, as well as its recovery in the erotic relation (both themes of the palinode) and 2) the relation between memory and science in the transmission of knowledge, in the critique of writing. The identification of science with the “immortal seed” contained in the dialectician’s speeches (276 e5-277 a4) will be linked to the analysis of procreation in beauty in the Symposion, showing that the ἐπιστήμη as content of the λόγοι expresses the dynamic relation between ideas. Therefore, the difference between “science in itself” and “science in us” must be conceived as a “structural feature” of the eidetic realm, in the same way as justice in the Republic (500c3-4) and, presumably, soundness.
(Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú. Departamento de Humanidades, 2022-03-28) Helmer, Etienne
“Commerce according to Plato: a factor of division or political community?”. It is often thought that the Greek philosophers despise both wholesale trade between cities as retail trade within cities. According to this lengthy interpretive tradition, Plato conforms on this matter to Homeric and Hesiodic poetry: commerce has a reputation as a trade associated with dishonesty and profit-seeking, for which it is believed to promote more division and conflict than harmony and social cohesion. However, a careful reading of some passages in Plato’s Dialogues, and particularly of the Republic, reveals another aspect of his approach to commerce and its influence on the cohesion of the polis. Trying to highlight an aspect that is usually ignored by most interpreters, this paper argues that Plato sees in commerce itself a factor allowing the formation and maintenance of the community of the polis. This approach is based on Plato’s conviction that the political character of the human being is forged through multiple exchanges, among which trade plays a fundamental role.
(Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú. Departamento de Humanidades, 2022-03-28) Cornelli, Gabriele; Maia, Rosane
The Women’s Law discussed in book V of the Republic, known as the first wave, is a notorious example of Socrates’ reformist intention to achieve justice in the polis. The legislation for women, in general, has historically been relegated by the Republic interpreters. This paper aims to analyze this passage, from 449a to 457c, through the arguments provided by Socrates seen as crucial to conceive equality between the sexes (under the ontological foundation of the same human nature) as well as to favor institutional change according to nature, kata physin, thus opening the possibility for women to govern the polis. Before leaving for the external confrontation, Socrates considers it urgent that his interlocutors, Adeimantus, Glaucon, and Polemarchus, agree with each other. Thus, he urges them to start the argument by questioning the human nature of women and their capacity for the same functions (erga) performed by men in the city. The examination of the intelligible enabled the logos on women’s intellectual capacity to support adequate legislation. Such nomos put into practice proves to be the best for the city and its guardians. To that extent, Socrates can conclude the investigation with a consensus on what to do and willingness to confront opposing opinions in the city urgently.
