19 Compton Terrace
Islington, London
N1 2UN
Plato and the pursuit of Truth – Drama as an instrument of truth
“Suddenly, a loud knocking was heard at the door, together with intoxicated voices
and the sound of the pipe” – Plato, in the Symposium
Plato’s dialogues have challenged readers to explore questions of truth and reality for the last 2,400 years: during that time humankind’s view of truth and the universe we inhabit has undergone many changes – but Plato’s philosophy remains alive with his profound questions.
For many specialists in Platonic philosophy the arrangements of logical questioning in the speeches of the characters of the dialogues constitutes the whole of his approach to philosophy: but is this really the case? We need to ask why Plato wrote dramatic dialogues rather than straight-forward treatises, and why the philosophical questions are shaped by his drama rather than by the themes he explores.
The first of three Sunday afternoons on Plato’s approach to truth-seeking, we aim to explore the insights that the dramatic action brings to the dialogues. We will spend an hour looking at some of the most powerful dramatic moments in the Platonic body of work and, after a short break, open up the meeting to an open discussion about the ideas we can see emerging from this approach.
Each workshop will be self-contained, so if you can’t make all three Sunday afternoons (March 10, 17th and 24th) do come along to those you can make.
