Can we think the meaning of any being? Is it possible to adequately define the “whatness” of any entity, event, or activity? Plato’s

Sophist

, one of the greatest works in the history of philosophy, approaches the question of the meaning of being by disclosing the limits of human reason (

logos

). The Eleatic stranger ironically evokes both the possibilities and the limitations of

logos

by providing definitions according to

genos

(type). The stranger demonstrates that, because any category of disclosure essentially involves difference, the wholeness of any being eludes categorial analysis.

Interpretation of Sophist must be guided by the insight that no Platonic dialogue is a treatise or formulation of doctrine. Plato’s profound moments of seriousness are achieved alongside play

2133 words

Citation: Wood, Kelsey. "Sophistes". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 15 February 2005 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=13441, accessed 19 March 2024.]

13441 Sophistes 3 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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