Panel Title
Backgrounds to Plato’s Iconology
Location
Kardinaal Mercierzaal, Institute of Philosophy, Kardinaal Mercierplein 2, 3000 Leuven
Start Date
2-13-2014 4:30 PM
End Date
2-13-2014 5:30 PM
Abstract
This paper will consider the sympotic game of eikones legein as a way into the many aspects of Plato’s use of images. Taking as a starting point Alcibiades’ praise of Socrates dia eikonôn in the Symposium (215a), I will explore the affiliations of this mode of speech with the archaic ainos and with instances of eikasia in Homer. Special attention will be paid to the fifth century and the rhetorical study of eikonologia (Phdr. 267b). Passages from the Presocratics, especially Democritus, on language and reference will suggest that Plato used eikones not only to explore metaphysical and epistemological issues but also what he called theologia as well.
Backgrounds to Plato’s Iconology
Kardinaal Mercierzaal, Institute of Philosophy, Kardinaal Mercierplein 2, 3000 Leuven
This paper will consider the sympotic game of eikones legein as a way into the many aspects of Plato’s use of images. Taking as a starting point Alcibiades’ praise of Socrates dia eikonôn in the Symposium (215a), I will explore the affiliations of this mode of speech with the archaic ainos and with instances of eikasia in Homer. Special attention will be paid to the fifth century and the rhetorical study of eikonologia (Phdr. 267b). Passages from the Presocratics, especially Democritus, on language and reference will suggest that Plato used eikones not only to explore metaphysical and epistemological issues but also what he called theologia as well.