The Unity of Oneness and Plurality in Plato's Theaetetus offers a reading of the Theaetetus that shows how the characters’ failure to give an acceptable account (i.e a logos) of knowledge is really a success; the failure being a necessary result of the dialogue’s implicit proof that there can never be a complete logos of knowledge. The proof of the incompatibility of knowledge and logos rests on the recognition that knowledge is always of what is, and hence is always of what is one, while logos is inherently multiple. Thus, any attempt to give a logos of what is known amounts to turning what is one into something multiple, and hence, that which is expressed by any logos must be other than that which is known. In this way The Unity of Oneness and Plurality in Plato's Theaetetus provides its readers with developed sketches of both a Platonic epistemology, and a Platonic ontology.
An account of the incompleteness of all accounts is, obviously, a very slippery undertaking. Plato's mastery of his craft is on full display in the dialogue. Besides offering a reading of Plato's epistemology and ontology, The Unity of Oneness and Plurality in Plato's Theaetetus investigates the insights and difficulties that arise from a close reading of the dialogue through a sustained analysis that mirrors the movement of the dialogue, offering a commentary on each of the primary sections, and showing how these sections fit together to supply an engaged reader with a unified whole.
The Unity of Oneness and Plurality in Plato's Theaetetus offers a reading of the Theaetetus that shows how the characters’ failure to give an acceptable account (i.e a logos) of knowledge is really a success; the failure being a necessary result of the dialogue’s implicit proof that there can never be a complete logos of knowledge. The proof of the incompatibility of knowledge and logos rests on the recognition that knowledge is always of what is, and hence is always of what is one, while logos is inherently multiple. Thus, any attempt to give a logos of what is known amounts to turning what is one into something multiple, and hence, that which is expressed by any logos must be other than that which is known. In this way The Unity of Oneness and Plurality in Plato's Theaetetus provides its readers with developed sketches of both a Platonic epistemology, and a Platonic ontology.
An account of the incompleteness of all accounts is, obviously, a very slippery undertaking. Plato's mastery of his craft is on full display in the dialogue. Besides offering a reading of Plato's epistemology and ontology, The Unity of Oneness and Plurality in Plato's Theaetetus investigates the insights and difficulties that arise from a close reading of the dialogue through a sustained analysis that mirrors the movement of the dialogue, offering a commentary on each of the primary sections, and showing how these sections fit together to supply an engaged reader with a unified whole.
Introduction
Chapter One: The One and the Many
Chapter Two: The Levels of Being
Chapter Three: The Sameness Between the Levels of Being
Chapter Four: The Difference Between the Levels of Being
Conclusion
Daniel Bloom is assistant professor of philosophy at West Texas A&M University.
The Unity of Oneness and Plurality in Plato's Theaetetus carefully
engages the dialogue’s arguments while also wrestling with the
philosophical problems the dialogue explores. The result is both
extraordinary scholarship and a profound philosophical reflection
on the possibility of knowledge. What sets this study apart
from others are Bloom’s appreciation of the reflexivity inherent in
an inquiry that seeks to know what knowledge is and his
understanding of Plato’s use of irony as a positive tool.
Bloom embraces the dialogue’s paradoxes and, in consequence, is
able to see in it a unity and coherence that has escaped other
readers. This book is an extraordinary achievement.
*Edward C. Halper, University of Georgia*
The Unity of Oneness and Plurality in Plato's Theaetetus is
distinguished by the depth to which Bloom explores the perennial
puzzles that arise in trying to grasp both oneness and multiplicity
as well as universality and individuality. Bloom succeeds in
showing why knowing and being cannot have unity without diversity
nor diversity without unity. Philosophy students and faculty of
every philosophical persuasion will find much to savor, as will
anyone else who has thought hard about truth.
*Richard Dien Winfield, University of Georgia*
"Unassuming and sensitive, Daniel Bloom's commentary is a model for
philosophical inquiry in general and engagement with Plato's
dialogues in particular."
*David Hart, West Texas A&M University*
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