Overview

In Opining Beauty Itself, Naomi Reshotko examines Plato's discussions of epistemological states that fall short of knowledge. Wary that interpretations of Plato's epistemology often omit a detailed analysis of the way he deploys the epistemological concepts that are inferior to, but often prerequisites for, knowledge, Reshotko argues that we must understand these inferior prerequisite states, especially belief (doxa), before we can understand what Plato thought about knowledge. Examining how recollection provides what is required for inquiry, Reshotko argues that recollection does not afford doxa—let alone what contemporary philosophers call 'true belief.' Rather, recollection is responsible for an ability to refer that is a condition for every kind of doxa and for knowledge. Reshotko concludes that Plato regards doxa as the fabric of all the other epistemic states that fall short of knowledge, and develops a comprehensive view of Plato's deployment of doxa that can serve as a foundation for further interpretation of Plato's epistemology. In the process, Reshotko shows that, for Plato, ordinary people do opine the Forms and can make progress toward knowledge of them, even if that knowledge is never achieved.

Full Product Details

Author:   Naomi Reshotko
Publisher:   State University of New York Press
Imprint:   State University of New York Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 2.50cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.227kg
ISBN:  

9781438490465

ISBN 10:   1438490461
Pages:   266
Publication Date:   02 April 2023
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments Introduction: Tarrying on the Path to Knowledge 1. Recollection and the Beginning of Inquiry in the Meno and Phaedo 2. Another Look at the Beginning Problem 3. Nonphilosophers and Beauty Itself in the Meno and the Phaedo 4. Nonphilosophers and Beauty Itself in Republic V 5. Doxastic Structure at Symposium 201d1–212c3 6. Doxa, Ignorance, and False Judgment in the Phaedrus and Theaetetus 7. Opining Beauty Itself in Republic V 8. Doxa, Ignorance, and the Consolation of the Lover of Sights and Sounds 9. Doxa and Ignorance in the Cave and the Divided Line Conclusion: What Doxa Opines and What Ignorance Is Bibliography Index Locorum Subject Index

Reviews

"""Does Plato hold that some contact with the Forms is presupposed by all human thought, as his famous doctrine of recollection seems to entail? Or does he reserve such contact for the elite philosophers, as he seems to argue in the Republic? Reshotko’s book gives the first option a defense that is both compelling and provocative. Through lucid argument, careful readings of the dialogues, fruitful engagement with recent scholarship, and stimulating dialogue with modern theories of reference, she presents an exciting study of Plato’s epistemology that will change the way we think of his views of thought, belief, opinion, recollection, and knowledge."" — Jessica Moss, New York University ""There has been a great deal of scholarship on what knowledge (epistēmē) means for Plato and how philosophers are supposed to achieve and apply it. Far less scholarship exists on Plato's view of non-philosophers and lesser cognitive states such as ignorance and belief (doxa). Opining Beauty Itself, fills this gap by offering a sustained discussion on belief and the cognitive condition of non-philosophers. One could reasonably believe that the very concept of a Form would be beyond a non-philosopher; however, Naomi Reshotko fashions a careful, novel, and fascinating argument that non-philosophers are (unwittingly) thinking about the Forms, and thus provides a more optimistic outlook for non-philosophers."" — Nicholas Baima, Florida Atlantic University ""Reshotko's project helpfully broadens our focus of Plato's epistemology on features that fall short of knowledge including reference, inquiry, learning, belief, opinion, reasoned belief, true and false belief, and ignorance. In doing so, she focuses on some of the most fascinating and perplexing passages in the Platonic corpus concerning the paradox of inquiry, the theory of recollection, the nature of philosophers, the ascent in the Symposium, the possibility of false belief, and the famous images of the divided line and the cave. Anyone interested in these passages or their epistemological implications broadly construed will find Reshotko's provocative and wide-ranging book worth reading."" — Hugh H. Benson, Emeritus Professor, University of Oklahoma ""The sustained investigation of doxa ('belief' or 'opinion') opens a new avenue for exploring Plato’s epistemology. Reshotko gives penetrating arguments for provocative conclusions, conclusions that give us original interpretations of Plato’s accounts of inquiry, recollection, and understanding. There is a wealth of helpful references both to other philosophical interpretations of Plato and to contemporary theories of reference."" — George Rudebusch, Northern Arizona University"

"""…Reshotko's book is clearly written, persuasively argued, and a fine addition to mainstream Plato scholarship."" — CHOICE ""Does Plato hold that some contact with the Forms is presupposed by all human thought, as his famous doctrine of recollection seems to entail? Or does he reserve such contact for the elite philosophers, as he seems to argue in the Republic? Reshotko’s book gives the first option a defense that is both compelling and provocative. Through lucid argument, careful readings of the dialogues, fruitful engagement with recent scholarship, and stimulating dialogue with modern theories of reference, she presents an exciting study of Plato’s epistemology that will change the way we think of his views of thought, belief, opinion, recollection, and knowledge."" — Jessica Moss, New York University ""There has been a great deal of scholarship on what knowledge (epistēmē) means for Plato and how philosophers are supposed to achieve and apply it. Far less scholarship exists on Plato's view of non-philosophers and lesser cognitive states such as ignorance and belief (doxa). Opining Beauty Itself, fills this gap by offering a sustained discussion on belief and the cognitive condition of non-philosophers. One could reasonably believe that the very concept of a Form would be beyond a non-philosopher; however, Naomi Reshotko fashions a careful, novel, and fascinating argument that non-philosophers are (unwittingly) thinking about the Forms, and thus provides a more optimistic outlook for non-philosophers."" — Nicholas Baima, Florida Atlantic University ""Reshotko's project helpfully broadens our focus of Plato's epistemology on features that fall short of knowledge including reference, inquiry, learning, belief, opinion, reasoned belief, true and false belief, and ignorance. In doing so, she focuses on some of the most fascinating and perplexing passages in the Platonic corpus concerning the paradox of inquiry, the theory of recollection, the nature of philosophers, the ascent in the Symposium, the possibility of false belief, and the famous images of the divided line and the cave. Anyone interested in these passages or their epistemological implications broadly construed will find Reshotko's provocative and wide-ranging book worth reading."" — Hugh H. Benson, Emeritus Professor, University of Oklahoma ""The sustained investigation of doxa ('belief' or 'opinion') opens a new avenue for exploring Plato’s epistemology. Reshotko gives penetrating arguments for provocative conclusions, conclusions that give us original interpretations of Plato’s accounts of inquiry, recollection, and understanding. There is a wealth of helpful references both to other philosophical interpretations of Plato and to contemporary theories of reference."" — George Rudebusch, Northern Arizona University"

Does Plato hold that some contact with the Forms is presupposed by all human thought, as his famous doctrine of recollection seems to entail? Or does he reserve such contact for the elite philosophers, as he seems to argue in the Republic? Reshotko's book gives the first option a defense that is both compelling and provocative. Through lucid argument, careful readings of the dialogues, fruitful engagement with recent scholarship, and stimulating dialogue with modern theories of reference, she presents an exciting study of Plato's epistemology that will change the way we think of his views of thought, belief, opinion, recollection, and knowledge. - Jessica Moss, New York University There has been a great deal of scholarship on what knowledge (episteme) means for Plato and how philosophers are supposed to achieve and apply it. Far less scholarship exists on Plato's view of non-philosophers and lesser cognitive states such as ignorance and belief (doxa). Opining Beauty Itself, fills this gap by offering a sustained discussion on belief and the cognitive condition of non-philosophers. One could reasonably believe that the very concept of a Form would be beyond a non-philosopher; however, Naomi Reshotko fashions a careful, novel, and fascinating argument that non-philosophers are (unwittingly) thinking about the Forms, and thus provides a more optimistic outlook for non-philosophers. - Nicholas Baima, Florida Atlantic University Reshotko's project helpfully broadens our focus of Plato's epistemology on features that fall short of knowledge including reference, inquiry, learning, belief, opinion, reasoned belief, true and false belief, and ignorance. In doing so, she focuses on some of the most fascinating and perplexing passages in the Platonic corpus concerning the paradox of inquiry, the theory of recollection, the nature of philosophers, the ascent in the Symposium, the possibility of false belief, and the famous images of the divided line and the cave. Anyone interested in these passages or their epistemological implications broadly construed will find Reshotko's provocative and wide-ranging book worth reading. - Hugh H. Benson, Emeritus Professor, University of Oklahoma The sustained investigation of doxa ('belief' or 'opinion') opens a new avenue for exploring Plato's epistemology. Reshotko gives penetrating arguments for provocative conclusions, conclusions that give us original interpretations of Plato's accounts of inquiry, recollection, and understanding. There is a wealth of helpful references both to other philosophical interpretations of Plato and to contemporary theories of reference. - George Rudebusch, Northern Arizona University

Author Information

Naomi Reshotko is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Denver. She is the author of Socratic Virtue: Making the Best of the Neither-Good-Nor-Bad.

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions